RP is now net sugar exporter

MACTAN, Cebu – Sugarmen had suspicions about it. They had started worrying what they would do if they attain sugar self-sufficiency. Tuesday they heard it officially from the highest-ranking International Sugar Organization official – THE PHILIPPINES HAS REJOINED THE RANKS OF NET EXPORTERS.

International Sugar Council Chairman James C. Ledesma, also sugar administrator, also stamped it the official imprimatur – the Philippines will not import sugar anymore. Not even the minimum access volume.

Philippine Sugar Research Institute Director General Leon Arceo later highlighted that with facts and figures. Despite lack of government subsidy and more than P400 million investment by the industry, in five years’ time, the country’s sugar production changed from a production deficit regime to self-sufficiency.

PHILSURIN, it must be admitted, was largely responsible in problem-solving through the use of non-sophisticated technologies and in encouraging the united effort through the mill district development councils in the distribution of higher-yielding varieties of sugarcane.

The Philippine experience set the triumphal tone of the ISO meet. This was attended by 47 representatives of the organization. Dr. Peter Baron, ISO executive director, also reported the re-entry of the Russian Commonwealth and several others.

This is significant, Russia is the world’s biggest sugar importer.

Several years back, during the term of former President Corazon Aquino, the Philippines pulled out of ISO to protest its treatment as still an exporting country. Russia also joined the walkout.

In 1995, the Council of Sugar Producers established the PHILSURIN. Its founding chairman was Mr. Ledesma. He nursed it through its formative years.

The picture was dismal. Production had outstripped consumption. Demand grew by an average of 3.4 percent, but production remained constant. That year, 1995, the Philippines imported 816,668 metric tons of raw and refined sugar.

Five years after, despite a consumption slump triggered by the Asian crisis in 1997, production rose by 14 percent to 1.66 million metric tons in 1999, then hit 1.86 million in 2001.

Tuesday, Ledesma admitted that updated production reports showed production had hit 2.1 million MTs, outstripping a projected 1.9 million MTs of sugar.

Arceo said that the production hike averaged 7.5 percent yearly. Better yet, the average mill gate price of sugar remained stable.

Actually, when it started, PHILSURIN had pinpointed the priority problems. Limited use of higher-yielding varieties, pests and diseases, inability to grow a good ratoon due to the ratoon stunting disease, improper fertilization, harvesting of immature canes, and delays in the delivery to mills.

Immediately, PHILSURIN embarked on a strategy of development by mobilizing the MDDCs initially organized by former Administrator Arsenio Yulo. It is composed of the three vital stakeholders – the planters, millers and the workers.

Over the years, the MDDC micropropagation laboratories and nurseries distributed more than 400 million sugarcane varieties. To date, Arceo reported that 35 percent of the total sugarcane hectarage are planted to HYVs.

But HYV propagation was not the sole reason for the impossible production gains. There was also the programs to control pests and diseases, especially the RSD. The latter also triggered manufacture of local versions of the hot water treatment plant to some sugar mills and examination of the situation confirms the direction that funds for R & D should be considered as investment. Thus, based on return on investments, what the industry had poured into PHILSURIN has paid back the industry a hundred-fold.

PHILSURIN had shifted focus from technology to research. But one thing stood out – the Philippine sugar industry managed to fend off for itself despite the lack of government subsidy. That’s what makes the industry’s record more impressive.

Leaders of the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines – Joel Lopa of CONFED and Bernard Trebol, Enrique Rojas of the NFSP, Manolet Lamata of the UNIFED and Francis Trenas of PANAYFED led hundreds of sugarcane farmers who attended the three-day conference.

There were also the leaders of the Philippine Sugar Millers Association led by V. Francisco Varua and the AIM led by Timoteo Consing also religiously attended the extended sessions.

By yesterday, sugarmen focused attention on the problem of marketing. Records show the possibility of a balanced supply demand and production. Prospects as that there may be a slight improvement in sugar prices.