Cong. Yulo says having a business representative in SRA needs study

Having a representative of the business sector in the board of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) needs to be studied, Negros Occidental Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo (5th district), said today.

Yulo, a former member of the SRA board representing the sugar planters, said that he welcomes the suggestion of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Yulo said that the proposal is beneficial to the ordinary consumers.

The PCCI is supporting the call of the local food manufacturers and exporters to allow the sector’s representation in the SRA to ensure that the voice of the micro, small and medium enterprises is heard.

PCCI Agriculture Committee chair Paul Cuyegkeng said the proposal will “strike a balance between the needs of farmers, millers, and food manufacturers”.

“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 thevAsean, whose sugary-made products are sold way cheaper than ours,” Cuyegkeng said in a statement.

He added that working closely with the private sector would allow the government to determine the sugar requirements of MSMEs and also consider them in the import request for these firms to continue their operations.

The SRA board is chaired by the SRA administrator as chairman with representatives from the sugar planters and millers.* (EYA)