Bukidnon raises concerns over relaxing sugar imports

MANILA, Philippines — The province of Bukidnon expects an economic slowdown with the planned liberalization of the sugar industry.

In a statement by the Office of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Bukidnon is urging the national government not to proceed with a plan to liberalize the importation of sugar into the Philippines.

“The unregulated entry of imported sugar will lead to drop in purchases of sugar produced by farms and mills in Bukidnon, loss of livelihood of small farmers, unemployment, closure of businesses and overall slowdown of economic activity in the province,” it said.

“Any disruption in sugar farming or cessation in mill operations will severely and negatively affect the livelihood of farmers and workers and businesses of sugar production,” it added.

In terms of physical distribution of agricultural areas, sugarcane lands dominate the landscape of Bukidnon followed by corn lands, pineapple and irrigated rice.

Bukidnon accounts for 72 percent of the overall sugarcane area and 75 percent of sugar production of Mindanao.

In terms of crop area harvested, sugarcane ranks third next to corn and palay.

The Bukidnon sugar milling district covers 14 municipalities with 11,395 sugarcane farmers.