SRA mulls selling smuggled sugar, other Kadiwa products in supermarkets

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) | FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Smuggled sugar may soon turn up in supermarket stores, according to Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Acting Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona on Wednesday.

The government has previously allowed the sale of 4,400 metric tons of the confiscated smuggled sugar in Kadiwa Stores.

READ: Gov’t to sell smuggled sugar through Kadiwa

“We’re actually finalizing po kung paano natin gawin ito, kasi this started out when the big supermarket chains signified po na they want to volunteer a space, libre po ito, magbibigay sila ng shelf space na talaga magiging Kadiwa outlet siya so we will not only sell sugar but other commodities as well,” said Azcona on the Laging Handa public hearing.

(We’re actually finalizing how to do this because this started when the big supermarket chains signified that they wanted to volunteer a space, this is free, they will give a dedicated shelf space that will become a Kadiwa outlet so we will not only sell sugar but other commodities as well.)

Azcona said that the legality of selling the smuggled sugar in supermarkets through Kadiwa will still be studied before its implementation.

According to the SRA Chief, the target suggested retail price would be P70 per kilo, which is the same price of sugar in Kadiwa stores.

Other than the 4,400 metric tons of smuggled sugar allowed to be sold, Azcona said there are still about 6,000 metric tons more of smuggled sugar that may be distributed to Kadiwa outlets.

“I think almost 6,000 [metric tons], so hopefully po mare-release po iyon, once it’s proven safe, approved na po for donation to Kadiwa,” he said.

(I think almost 6,000 metric tons, so hopefully, once that is released, once it’s proven safe, it’s approved for donation to Kadiwa.)

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JPV