Villar to support full restoration of sugarcane industry development fund

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — Senator Cynthia Villar on Monday said she will help the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) push for the restoration of the ₱2 billion Sugar Industry Development Program fund for 2024 after it was slashed this year due to underutilization.

“We can ask the DBM to increase ulit yung inyo from ₱1 billion to ₱2 billion, but you have to promise us baka mamaya hindi mo na naman gawin,” Villar said during a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing on the SRA’s 2024 budget.

[Translation: We can ask the DBM to increase your fund from ₱1 billion to ₱2 billion but you have to promise us because you might not do it again.]

Republic Act 10659 or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) of 2015 states that the government should allocate ₱2 billion per year to promote the development of the sugarcane industry.

However, the SRA only received ₱1 billion this year. The DBM also approved ₱1 billion for the implementation of SIDA next year.

Villar, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, said it was the SRA’s fault because it failed to utilize the budget in previous years.

“Alam mo naman ang DBM ‘pag hindi mo ma-implement ibababa nila," she said. «Ngayon nahihirapan tayo ibalik sa ₱2 billion kasi siguro walang trust ang DBM that you can do it.»

[Translation: You know how the DBM is, they will give a lower amount if you don't implement the budget. Now it is difficult to bring back the ₱2 billion because the DBM might not trust that you can do it.]

Senator JV Ejercito also questioned the SRA on why it keeps importing sugar rather than focusing on strengthening local production as intended by SIDA.

“Parang sayang itong ginawa nating batas," Ejercito said. «Eight years after its passing dapat, we should be on the way to self-sufficiency.»

[Translation: It seems like we've wasted this law. Eight years after its passing, we should have been on the way to self-sufficiency.]