Senatorial candidate and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay urged the government to set a clear-cut policy to stop importing sugar during the harvest season.
Binay said such a policy would help sugar workers and the entire industry.
“So let us make a clear policy. During harvest season, no importation. That has to be clearly in black and white,” she said.
Binay said only 20 per cent of the country’s sugar supply is imported while 80 per cent is locally sourced. There is a big potential for the country to become a major sugar producer if policies were put in place to encourage investors to build modern sugar mills.
“This will also help bring down the price of sugar in the market,” she added.
“I think we also need to have an environment that is conducive for private investors to come in, bring in their money,” Binay said.
She pointed out the economic benefits of achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.
“Imagine if we become 100 percent reliant on local produce, and we can even export our sugar, a big boost to the economy of Negros.”
On Wednesday, Binay met with officers and members of the Asociacion Agricola de Bais Y Tanjay Inc. and discussed issues facing the sugar industry.
Binay was in Dumaguete City for the proclamation rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.