THE Senate was asked to investigate the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for reportedly allowing the importation of 200,000 metric tons of sugar.
This came after the supposed importation was halted by a 20-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by a court in Negros Occidental.
In Resolution Number 995, the Senate was asked to investigate the issue in order to gain a clear understanding of the policies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) because of its seemingly pro-importation stance whenever there is a reported lack of supply of agricultural products.
The resolution pointed out that farmers have long been complaining about sugar importation because of its effects on the local sugar industry.
It added that coincidentally, the importation of sugar and other products such as rice, corn, fish, pork, chicken and beef usually happens during harvest and milling season
The SRA earlier allowed the importation of sugar in order to stabilize prices, and that sugar supply is dwindling due to the effects of Typhoon Odette on sugarcane farms.
The United Sugar Producers Federation and the Rural Sugar Planters Association, Inc. then took to court and were able to secure a TRO against the SRA order.
The groups emphasized that the supply of sugar is sufficient and there was only one sugar milling that closed for one week because of the effects of Typhoon Odette last December.