Villar bill seeks to fund boost in sugar industry

CEBU, Philippines - A bill that aims to generate funds to strengthen the competitiveness and boost diversification efforts of the sugarcane industry will be up for deliberation at the Senate or during the plenary session by next week.

Senator Cynthia Villar, author of the Senate version of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2014, said the country is self-sufficient in sugar but is anticipating stiffer competition with cheaper sugar from abroad.

 Tariff on imported sugar is expected to drop to a nominal five percent in 2015 or with the regional economic integration under the Association of Southeast Asia Nation Economic Community.

Villar, who is the chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, said the AEC blueprint will transform ASEAN into a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region of equitable economic development and a region fully integrated into a global economy.

“The impending AEC economic integration, just like most changes and new developments, will bring about opportunities and challenges. The key is preparedness and enhanced competitiveness,” said Villar, who was the keynote speaker of the 61st National Convention of the Philippine Sugar Technologists yesterday at Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

Villar added that her proposed bill, which also aims to boost the diversification efforts of the sugarcane industry, is a supportive measure to help the industry become globally competition.

Villar likewise assured the sugarcane stakeholders that her bill will take into consideration and incorporate all their recommendations and suggestions, such as development funds for improvement of the farms and mills, line budget funds for farm-to-mill road and irrigation systems and framework for development of other sugarcane-based products.

“As far as legislative backing or support, my committee is there to protect and safeguard the interests of our farmers and food producers. Like Philsutech, our ultimate aim is to lead the agriculture sector into a more sustainable and inclusive growth,” she added. 

The Philippine sugarcane industry provides employment to at least 600,000 workers and contributes P76 billion annually to the country’s economy and Villar believes that the agriculture sector will be able to generate more revenues for the Philippines if it will be backed by adequate budget and effective programs. — (FREEMAN)