23 February 2025
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Sugar Regulatory Administration plans to approve the importation of an estimated 165,000 metric tons of refined sugar by May 2025.
SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the agency is refining import protocols amid concerns over smuggling and the illegal entry of sugar and sugar-based products.
“This importation has been in the drawing board since August 2015. The approval process has taken longer than anticipated, but we are finalizing the details. We’ve listened to stakeholders, including the beverage and confectionery industries, and we are working to address their concerns,” Azcona said over the weekend.
Azcona led the turnover of P38 million worth of farm machinery to La Granja sugar farmers in Negros Occidental on Feb. 22, 2025.
Azcona said the SRA would issue amended rules on clearance fees for sugar alternatives.
The SRA plans to impose P60 per metric ton on imported sugar alternatives like glucose, sucrose and fructose.
The SRA’s efforts to regulate sugar imports are aimed at gathering data on alternative sugars, as there has been no definitive database due to the open nature of importation.
The SRA noted the importance of regulating sugar imports to prevent unfair competition and ensure the country’s sugar supply remains stable.
“We want to eliminate the red tape. We’ve agreed that if there’s no response within five days, the application is deemed approved. This will significantly reduce the delays that have been a source of frustration for businesses,” Azcona said.