DTI finds 350K sacks of mostly imported sugar in Cavite warehouses | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
DTI finds 350K sacks of mostly imported sugar in Cavite warehouses
DTI finds 350K sacks of mostly imported sugar in Cavite warehouses
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 26, 2022 05:02 PM PHT
|
Updated Aug 26, 2022 07:37 PM PHT

MANILA (UPDATED)— Around 350,000 sacks of sugar, most of which are imported, were found in 3 warehouses in Silang, Cavite, as the government continues its crackdown against possible sugar hoarding, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday.
MANILA (UPDATED)— Around 350,000 sacks of sugar, most of which are imported, were found in 3 warehouses in Silang, Cavite, as the government continues its crackdown against possible sugar hoarding, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday.
All the bags of refined sugar were identified for industrial use. A total of 314,000 bags from the total inventory were imported from Thailand, authorities said.
All the bags of refined sugar were identified for industrial use. A total of 314,000 bags from the total inventory were imported from Thailand, authorities said.
Authorities also discovered 36,000 bags of local sugar, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.
Authorities also discovered 36,000 bags of local sugar, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.
Based on documents presented by representatives of the warehouse, the imported sugar were cleared under Sugar Order Number 3, which authorized the first wave of sugar importation this year.
Based on documents presented by representatives of the warehouse, the imported sugar were cleared under Sugar Order Number 3, which authorized the first wave of sugar importation this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Industrials solely benefited from this importation.
Industrials solely benefited from this importation.
The three warehouses were leased by a sugar trading company supplying refined sugar for various food manufacturers.
The three warehouses were leased by a sugar trading company supplying refined sugar for various food manufacturers.
According to the Department of Agriculture, relevant documents of the imported sugar still have to undergo validation.
According to the Department of Agriculture, relevant documents of the imported sugar still have to undergo validation.
The 36,000 bags of locally-produced sugar found in the warehouse, authorities said, will still need a deeper investigation as these were also allocated to industrials.
The 36,000 bags of locally-produced sugar found in the warehouse, authorities said, will still need a deeper investigation as these were also allocated to industrials.
“Ang question namin, ‘yong local sugar dito ay meant pa rin for industrials. So ‘yong supply for local consumers, mababawasan dahil mapupunta na naman sa industrial ‘yong local,” Agriculture Undersecretary Federico Lasiste, Jr. said.
“Ang question namin, ‘yong local sugar dito ay meant pa rin for industrials. So ‘yong supply for local consumers, mababawasan dahil mapupunta na naman sa industrial ‘yong local,” Agriculture Undersecretary Federico Lasiste, Jr. said.
(Our question is: the local sugar here is still meant for industrials so the local supply for consumers will be decreased because this would go to industrial users.)
(Our question is: the local sugar here is still meant for industrials so the local supply for consumers will be decreased because this would go to industrial users.)
CONVERSION?
The DTI proposed to industrials to convert some of their stocks for domestic consumption.
The DTI proposed to industrials to convert some of their stocks for domestic consumption.
“Gusto sana natin ma-convert siya to domestic consumption para bumaha naman ang supply sa retail… Hindi tayo kakabahan at hindi tayo matatakot sa pagtaas ng presyo dahil walang asukal,” Castelo said.
“Gusto sana natin ma-convert siya to domestic consumption para bumaha naman ang supply sa retail… Hindi tayo kakabahan at hindi tayo matatakot sa pagtaas ng presyo dahil walang asukal,” Castelo said.
(We want to convert these to domestic consumption so the supply in retail will increase. We will no longer fear the spike in sugar prices if this happens.)
(We want to convert these to domestic consumption so the supply in retail will increase. We will no longer fear the spike in sugar prices if this happens.)
Last week, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) found some 44,000 sacks of suspected smuggled sugar, with an estimated value of P220 million, in warehouses in Pampanga and Bulacan.
Last week, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) found some 44,000 sacks of suspected smuggled sugar, with an estimated value of P220 million, in warehouses in Pampanga and Bulacan.
In a separate operation that week, the BOC said it seized 140,000 bags of white refined sugar with total tax payment valued at P45.6 million at the Port of Subic.
In a separate operation that week, the BOC said it seized 140,000 bags of white refined sugar with total tax payment valued at P45.6 million at the Port of Subic.
As a result of that operation, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said 6 Customs officials were sacked pending the results of the investigation regarding the possibility of conniving with illegal sugar smugglers.
As a result of that operation, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said 6 Customs officials were sacked pending the results of the investigation regarding the possibility of conniving with illegal sugar smugglers.
Malacañang earlier said it was looking into the possibility of an "artificial" sugar shortage in the country given recent findings in warehouse inspections.
Malacañang earlier said it was looking into the possibility of an "artificial" sugar shortage in the country given recent findings in warehouse inspections.
So far, inspections have been conducted in sugar warehouses located in the following areas, according to the Palace:
So far, inspections have been conducted in sugar warehouses located in the following areas, according to the Palace:
- Deparo, Caloocan City
- Balut in Tondo
- San Nicolas in Manila
- Rosales, Pangasinan
- San Fernando, Pampanga
- Ibaan, Batangas
- Davao
- Deparo, Caloocan City
- Balut in Tondo
- San Nicolas in Manila
- Rosales, Pangasinan
- San Fernando, Pampanga
- Ibaan, Batangas
- Davao
— with reports from Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News
Read More:
DTI
Cavite
regions
regional news
Department of Trade and Industry
sugar
sugar imports
sugar hoarding
sugar importation
Silang
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT