The United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED opposes suggestions to allow industrial users or manufacturers to directly import sugar as a compromise to the government’s plan to raise duties and broaden the tax base for sweetened beverages.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Iii said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not made any headway in our problems in the agricultural sector.
In a statement, UNIFED president Manuel Lamata appealed to the President to disregard Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s remark describing sugar trade liberalization as a “reasonable compromise” in lieu of the planned higher taxes on sugary drinks.
Lamata said they were “totally against the move of Diokno to liberalize importation in favor of a few industrial users.”
The Department of Finance was eyeing an increase excise taxes for sweetened beverages under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law by P12 per liter, regardless of the type of sweetener used, remove,exemptions, and index the rate by four percent annually.
The TRAIN law mandates a P6-per liter excise tax on beverages using caloric and non-caloric sweeteners, and P12 per litertax on beverages using high-fructose corn syrup.
Diokno said higher tax rate and broader base was a reasonable compromise, but added that he was still in favor of sugar importation.
Under the current system, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) controls the importation of sugar and determines the volume to be imported after assessing the local industry’s capability to satisfy the country’s consumption demands.
UNIFED’s Lamata said “the move will kill the (livelihood of) more than five million Filipinos who are dependent on the sugar industry.”
“Is Diokno prepared to give livelihood to these five million industry stakeholders?” he asked.
“The Finance Secretary is ill-advised,” Lamata said, adding that Diokno should also think of the consumers or the general public who will also be affected as these industrial users will surely pass on the additional taxes to their consumers.”
Lamata said the UNIFED was hoping that the President would not endorse Diokno’s proposal plan which was never even done in consultation with the sugar industry.
“We know President Marcos’ heart is with and for the farmers as he has told us so, and we are calling for his intervention on this matter,” Lamata said.
In sugar matters alone, Pimentel noted that the Marcos administration has had two controversies in less than one year in office.
“Smuggling is still rampant,” he said.
The opposition leader also said that prices of onions and other basic food items are still very expensive and beyond the means of ordinary citizens.
He further stated that remains a problem under the current administration.
“I believe PBBM can be greatly helped by the appointment of a regular Secretary of the Department of Agriculture,” he added.
For his part, Sen. Robinhood Padilla believed that the President has a ‘grand plan’ that might be effective for the country’s agricultural sector.
“We don’t know what his plans are,” he added.
He said it might be the reason why he is yet to appoint an agriculture secretary amid calls to fill in the post.
According to Padilla, he likes what the President has been doing particularly his focus on the economy.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said he was fully satisfied with the President’s performance, not
because he is a supermajority member. He said the President had accomplished most of his campaign promises.
Perhaps, it is time to choose an agriculture secretary since he has many more things to do, Estrada said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she still needs to talk to Pimentel if the will attend the SONA.
More than the SONA, she wants to see the leadership of the President which she considers lacking in many sectors especially in agriculture.