PBBM ADMIN TO MAINTAIN 2-MONTH SUGAR BUFFER STOCK; VOWS TO STABILIZE SUPPLY, PRICES OF ONION

 Dateline Kamuning: 

 

As part of the measures to ensure a sufficient reserve of sugar in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Sunday the government will now maintain a two-month buffer stock of sugar.

“We will maintain from now on, in sugar, a two-month buffer stock… so that people will know hindi tayo magkaka-shortage dahil lagi tayong mayroon two-month na buffer stock which I will maintain,” Marcos told reporters in an interview on board PR001 en route to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Aside from ensuring a buffer stock, the chief executive likewise discussed his administration’s plans against smuggling and improving the production side of agricultural products.

 

 

“The smuggling, ‘yun talaga… kailangan talagang i-solve ‘yun. Masyadong laganap ang smuggling dito sa Pilipinas kahit na ano ini-smuggle eh. So we have to really look into that and we have some very good ideas,” Marcos said.

In a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) last week, the President said the present system isn’t working and that government agencies must do something to decisively address rampant smuggling.

Marcos ordered reform in the bureaucracy to curb smuggling, lower logistics costs, and ensure the ease of doing business as his government works to prop up investments and business activities in the country.

With regard to production, the chief executive told reporters that the government should help the sugar industry and onion growers.

The President lamented how the country is so used to importation instead of enhancing the production side.

“Diyan tayo naipit eh. Nasanay tayo masyado sa import. So import lang tayo nang import, hindi natin inaayos ‘yung production side,” Marcos said.