Probe sought on premix, sweetener importation

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — When Congress resumes session on July 25, Negros Occidental congressmen will file a joint resolution to investigate the importation of large volumes of premix sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) by big industrial users.

Representatives Alfredo Marañon III (2nd district), Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (3rd district), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district) and Ignacio Arroyo (5th district), in a press conference at the Capitol last Wednesday, said they were informed by their constituents of the problems in sugar industry brought by the importation of premix sugar and HFCS.

They said they will conduct and expedite the investigation for the benefit of their constituents and the province, which rely heavily on sugar as its major industry.

They added that Reps. Julio Ledesma IV (1st district), Mercedez Alvarez (6th district) and Anthony Rolando Golez (Bacolod City), who were not able to attend the press conference, have signified their support and will join them in filing the resolution.

The congressmen attended a closed-door dialogue between Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Sugar Watch, a group of small farmers, entrepreneurs, and members of the civil society in Negros Occidental. Also present were officials of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED) and several sugar planters.

The congressmen said they also wrote a letter to Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin asking the agency to "immediately stop processing any importation of premix sugar and HFCS into the country."

"It is our understanding that Executive Order 850 (issued by former President Gloria Arroyo) mandates that premixes must be 65-percent sugar or below. In the event of any possible violation, we strongly ask your office to take appropriate action on this matter soonest," the congressmen wrote.

Ferrer said they expect that Martin will reply to their letter soon and, from there, they would decide what to do next. "This is our first move regarding this issue," he said, and that they will try to get the support of congressmen from Negros Oriental and Iloilo provinces in pushing for an investigation on the matter.

Benitez said they would like to find out, through the investigations, more about EO 850 allowing importation of premixes and then to determine measures on how it can be repealed. On June 26, they will include the join resolution in the agenda in the plenary and the committee on rules shall designate which committee will tackle it.

Arroyo, on the other hand, said he supported the call to boycott the products of a beverage company but then "it's not effective; we should have stronger measures." The sugar industry has to prepare now for 2015 when sugar-producing countries are allowed to export sugar with no tariff. "But if these things are happening right now how can we prepare for 2015?" he said.

Marañon, for his part, said the dialogue did not mean that the problem worsened; it just means more people are helping in solving the problem. "The plan of the congressmen to file for a resolution to investigate the problem is a good move," he said, adding that he was optimistic this would result in a win-win solution. (FREEMAN)