Local news

February 5, 2015
Sugaronline

Both houses of Congress have ratified the proposed Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2014, which had been approved by the congressional bicameral conference committee, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said, according to the Philippines' Visayan Daily Star newspaper.

The measure was ratified by the Senate Monday and the House on Tuesday, he said.

The ratified measure is expected to be sent to the president this week for him to sign into law, or veto, Benitez said.

February 5, 2015
Business World, by Claire Feliciano

The NBB -- which consists of representatives of the Energy, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Science, Labor and Environment departments; the Philippine Coconut Authority; and the Sugar Regulatory Administration -- is mandated by the Biofuels Act of 2006 to review and implement biodiesel blends.

Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada said the study is one of the preparations undertaken by the government to ensure that the increased blend will benefit coconut farmers.

February 4, 2015
Zamboanga Today By Philip Abuy

The city council has formally asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday, to conduct an in-depth investigation on the current rice and sugar smuggling.

Subjecting all those suspected of involvement, ranging from local government officials, low and high-ranking police and military officers, including employees and officials of Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and PNP-Maritime Command (MARICOM).

February 2, 2015
Business World, By Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano

“The details are still being finalized. We think it will happen within the year,” RHI Chairman Pedro E. Roxas said on the sidelines of the 44th annual membership meeting of the Philippine Business for Social Progress.

Mr. Roxas said the investment cost is “still being reviewed” but noted that the joint venture will come up with more details after a board meeting scheduled this month.

February 1, 2015
Manila Standard Today, By Alena Mae S. Flores 
 

Ethanol production in the Philippines doubled to 222 million liters in 2014 from 114 million liters in 2013, following the entry of three new producers, the Sugar Regulatory Administration said.

SRA manager for policy and planning Rosemarie Gumera, however, said while there was a substantial increase in local production, national output still fell short of the annual demand of “a little less than 400 million liters.”

January 27, 2015
The Visayan Daily Star, By Gilbert Bayoran

Sugar is still a very good business with productivity doing well, despite the implementation of the Asean Free Trade Area agreement starting this month, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin said yesterday.

“The price is still very competitive inspite (of the fact) that the world market is heavy on surplus, on sugar,” Martin said. The SRA chief said they have noted a much higher demand for sugar in the country, and have not monitored the entry of imported sugar, as of now.

January 26, 2015
Sugaronline

The Bureau of Internal Revenue is finalizing its memorandum circular clarifying the revenue regulation on the 1% withholding tax on raw sugar, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said, according to the Philippines' Visayan Daily Star newspaper.

SRA has been endorsing and discussing with the BIR the complaints of the different stakeholdes of the sugarcane industry, she added.

January 22, 2015
Business World
By Alden Monzon

A PROPOSED measure seeking to make the sugarcane industry more competitive through government-funded programs and tax incentives has been approved at the bicameral level and is now awaiting the signature of the President.

January 20, 2015
Sugaronline

The proposed Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2014 will pave the way for the growth of two other major products from sugarcane instead of just sugar alone, said Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) president, Frank Carbon, according to the Philippines' Information Agency.

In a PIA interview, Carbon said that the Sugarcane Act aims to develop fuel ethanol and power from biomass from sugarcane in addition to the production of sugar in Negros.

January 19, 2015
The Philippine Star
By Jess Diaz 

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is supporting a congresswoman’s proposal to impose a 10-percent tax on sweetened beverages like soft drinks.

In a position paper it submitted to the House of Representatives ways and means committee, the DOH said consumption of soft drinks and carbonated drinks has been “identified as one of the behavioral risk factors contributing to the development of non-communicable diseases” like diabetes and hypertension.