Government to distribute sugar this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture will distribute bags of refined sugar to government stores starting this weekend due to the shortage of the commodity, officials said yesterday.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the DA’s Sugar Regulatory Administration will start distributing 1,000 bags (50 kilos per bag) of refined sugar to Tindahan Natin (community-run government stores) outlets in urban areas starting this weekend.

Yap said the shortage was triggered by the increase in the demand of sugar by industrial users due to the soaring prices of the sweetener in the world market.

He said that because of the huge sugar demand of industrial users – like candy and juice makers – there might be a shortage of sugar in markets and groceries.

He said the 1,000 bags will fill about one-third of the gap in the sugar supply which is 3,000 bags.

He said the daily distribution of refined sugar to Tindahan Natin outlets would likely last for two weeks.

The DA chief assured that the shortage will be addressed once the milling season peaks.

“Refining will be able to address the gap,” he told reporters after attending a forum on hunger mitigation at the Linden Suites in Ortigas, Pasig City.

He said the refined sugar will be sold at P41 a kilo.

“The amount is fair for both the farmers and traders,” he added.              – Helen Flores