BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While he welcomes a suggestion to include the business sector in the Sugar Regulatory Board, Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo, yesterday said that it needs to be studied.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is backing the call of the local food manufacturers and exporters to allow a business sector representation on the SRA board to ensure that the voice of the MSMEs is heard and considered.
The SRA board is composed of representatives of sugar planters and millers, SRA administrator and the secretary of the Department of Agriculture, who acts as chairman.
Yulo, who used to be a member of the SRA board, said that such proposal is beneficial to the ordinary consumers
Paul Cuyegkeng, chairman of the PCCI Agriculture Committee said that the proposal is essential to strike a balance between the needs of farmers, millers, and food manufacturers, which are composed largely of MSMEs.
“We believe that all sectors must be heard. Our local food processors and manufacturers, which are mostly MSMEs have long been burdened with the high cost of refined sugar and sadly, they are not able to compete with our counterparts in ASEAN, whose sugary-made products are sold way cheaper than ours,” Cuyegkeng said.*
