According to the Philippine News Agency, stakeholders have voiced their support for Sugar Order No. 6 of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), which establishes regulations for the importation of specific sugar and sugar-based products.

The Order Passed For Sweetners

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) expressed concerns about SO 6 implementation, so it was initially put on hold. Potential import processing delays, additional compliance expenses, and potential price increases for beverages and confections were mentioned by the group.

Terence Uygongco, president of the Philippine Sugar Millers' Association, Inc. (PSMA), defended the order, stating that its goal is to control the entry of substitute sweeteners and sweetened products while keeping an eye on their effects on the market.

"This order is critical for the Sugar Regulatory Administration to gain a better understanding of sugar supply and demand in the country," Uygongco stated. He pointed out that the demand for sugar has been falling in spite of population and economic growth.

Fees and Requirements Under SO 6

He also underlined that the SRA should not rely exclusively on outside sources, such as the Bureau of Customs, and that, as a regulatory body, it requires accurate data on all market factors.

The fees and requirements under SO 6 are standard procedures intended to establish uniform policies for sugar and other sweeteners, according to Renato Cabati, president of the Philippine Association of Sugar Refineries, Inc. (PASRI).

“The order does not place restrictions on alternative sweetener imports. It only requires an SRA clearance for release, which is different from an import permit,” Cabati explained.

According to PSMA and PASRI, the fees are small and will not put a strain on customers.

SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona assured FPI on Thursday that it only takes three working days to get an import clearance under SO 6. In order to further cut down on processing times, he also disclosed ongoing efforts to launch an online portal.

SO 6 fees are 0.08 percent of the total cost, or 0.06 cents per kilogram, PHP3 per bag, or PHP60 per ton.