Consumers want regulated importation of agri products

Most Filipinos believe that government regulations are needed in the importation of agriculture products.

This was gleamed from a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) which showed that 59 percent of those surveyed nationwide disagree that 'anybody should be allowed to import sugar, without having to get a license from the government.'

Only 17 percent of those surveyed agreed with the test statement while 21 percent was undecided.

In Luzon, 57 percent of the respondents agree that import licensing is necessary while 19 percent are undecided and 16 percent want a free-for-all importation of sugar. In urban areas, a higher percentage of those surveyed or 65 percent want sugar importers to first secure an import permit before bringing in the commodity. Only 21 percent are against licensing while 10 percent was undecided.

In rural areas in Luzon, 48 percent are in favor of licensing, 19 percent against and 29 percent undecided

The clamor for prior government approval before sugar importation is undertaken is more felt in the Visayas, where majority of the country's sugar is produced. Seventy-four percent are in favor of import licensing while only nine percent are against and 15 percent undecided. In urban areas, the same trend was observed by the SWS. A high 72 percent was for licensing, 12 percent against 15 percent undecided. For the rural areas, 78 percent want prior government approval, three percent are against and 14 percent was undecided.

In Mindanao, 49 percent want importers to secure government import licenses, 30 percent undecided while 17 percent are against licensing. In the urban areas, 46 percent agree to licensing, 33 percent undecided, while 19 percent against while in the rural areas a higher share or 51 percent want prior import permits, 28 percent are undecided, and 15 percent against.

The SWS survey also showed that public sentiment towards prior government approval before sugar importation can be undertaken was seen across economic classes. For the ABC economic strata, 55 percent supported licensing while 20 percent disagreed and 24 percent was undecided. --