“Protest Arroyo government speculation on sugar price hike”, peasant group urged

Manila, Philippines – The left-wing farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) lambasted the Arroyo government for drumming up speculation to jack up prices of sugar in the retail market. The group said that this is in light of justifying importation of sugar to further liberalize the sugar industry and to “show off” subservience to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Thus, they are calling on “people’s sectors” to protest against it as the Senate and House of Representatives are already nearing in closing their session.

“There is no dramatic indicator for the retail price of sugar to increase as millgate prices are relatively lower at P1,700 to P1,900 per 50-kg, very far from government lies that it is P2,000 upward,” said Danilo Ramos, KMP Secretary-General, in a press statement.

“According to Sugar Alliance of the Philippines, composed of sugar millers and big planters, raw production rose by 14.7%, refined production by 41.74%, even the milling rate of sugarcane to sugar increased by 4.19%, in short, where is the shortage the government is drumming about?” said Ramos.

“We should also note that we are exporting sugar to the U.S. and Europe, and we have a reserve supply that is to be tap in times of need, these totally contradict the logic of importing sugar as it would be stupid to import when you have a reserve stock and exporting to other countries,” Ramos said.

The farmers’ group also said that the country’s sugar industry is itself threatened by the Arroyo government, as historically since the Spanish times, Philippines has served the purpose of exporting sugar and not the other way around, or being dependent from outside sources.

“The Arroyo government is bullish and trying to make a black eye in our country’s history as she is again turning our country into a net importer of sugar,” said Ramos.

“This regime is totally destroying our food security, already transformed the country into a rice net importer, and now to a sugar net importer. What kind of leader destroys a country’s self-reliance and security?” Ramos asked.

As there is no firm basis, the government, particulary the Sugar Regulatory Administration has launched a string of lies such as making low output, production costs, consequential millgate price increases as the root causes of the “speculative” price hikes.

“The problem is not on the production sphere, but it lies on circulation or trading which is controlled by big traders composing the Big 5 in the sugar industry,” said Ramos.

“The Big 5 cartel should be investigated, they are composed of the Go family of Lucky Two, Leong Cho of La Perla, Rolly Sicat of Vision Trading, James Chu of Victorias Trading, Julio Sy of Makati Agro-trading. Even the Cojuangcos who control the sugar industry in Central Luzon and the Roxas in Batangas who have ‘power and influence’ to dictate sugar prices should be questioned,” said Ramos.

“The Senate and Congress are already nearing to close their session, thus, it would be too late for them to table the issue. Also, there seems to be no institution trying to defend the sugar industry but the poor. We are urging the people to directly participate in protesting against sugar price hikes as it would concretely affect them. The Arroyo government has already made rice unaffordable and expensive for the ordinary Filipino, we should prevent this worsening liberalization of the sugar industry to totally destroy our local production,” called Ramos.#