SPEAKER Faustino Dy III backed stronger safeguards for sugarcane farmers as lawmakers took the proposed Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal (Tubo) Act directly to farmers and industry stakeholders in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Friday.
Dy said the consultation would help Congress understand the concerns of sugar-producing communities and improve proposed measures based on their experiences.
“This is a very important proposed measure to protect our sugarcane farmers here in Negros,” Dy said, referring to House Bill 9088, authored by Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez.
The bill seeks to address import shocks, falling farm prices and gaps in government support for the sugar industry, which Benitez said involves around 88,000 sugarcane farmers and about 700,000 workers. About 84 percent of sugarcane farmers cultivate less than five hectares, while five to six million dependents rely on the industry.
“Congress could have held this discussion in Manila. We held it here, near the mill and the cane fields, because this is where people know sugar best,” Benitez said.
HB 9088 proposes increasing annual industry funding from P2 billion to P5 billion beginning in 2027, with 30 percent earmarked for farm-to-mill roads and irrigation and another 20 percent for climate adaptation and resilience.
It also calls for an 18-month pause on commercial sugar imports upon the law’s effectivity, except in cases of verified shortages. After the pause, imports would be based on supply data and prohibited during the first three months of the milling season.
Another provision would allow government intervention when verified millgate prices fall below the certified cost of production. The government could purchase sugar at a support price for its reserves, with small farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries given priority.
The measure also proposes random and unannounced audits of mill laboratories, public reporting of industry funds and twice-yearly consultations involving farmers, workers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, millers and refiners.
Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez said lawmakers also gained a better understanding of the industry’s concerns from Benitez’s presentation during the LegisHear town hall.
“LegisHear is not only about telling you what we are doing. Congressman Javi also explained the bill he filed in Congress, and we ourselves learned from his presentation,” Hernandez said.
“Rest assured that the Speaker and the rest of us will look into this and help Javi fight for sugar farmers and other stakeholders,” he added.