November 22, 2019
Chito Chavez (Manila Bulletin) | https://bit.ly/2OiD9jJ
An official of farmer’s group Tanggol Asukal has criticized Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez for his proposal to raise sugar crop share of millers over the planters.
Antonio Flores, spokesman of Tanggol Asukal, rejected the proposal asserting ‘’it was meant to divide the ranks of the sugar industry stakeholders against sugar import liberalization’’.
He noted many planters, millers and even field and mill workers have already aired their strong opposition to the sugar import liberalization being championed Dominguez.
‘’If DOF Secretary Dominguez is really sincere in proposing to modernize sugar mills and make them more efficient, he should instead request the Department of Budget Management (DBM) to subsidize these or get the much needed funds from the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA) which has a P2 billion annual budget,’’ Flores said.
Flores insisted other countries such as Thailand, which exports sugars to the Philippines, subsidize their sugar industry including its retail market.
‘’Since the economic managers such as the DOF and NEDA are keen on implementing sugar import liberalization, their proposal to increase the income of millers is just that, to create a wedge among them with the planters to weaken the opposition to sugar import liberalization,’’ Flores concluded.