Name: Felicity Jane Barcebal Year & Section: BSMA 2-A

Philippine Sugar ‘Crisis’ Tests Marcos’ Pro-Farms Push

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkie staff writer
August 26, 2022 14: 22 JST

I.
A Philippine sugar shortage has forced a soda maker to cut production and bakeries to
hike prices, giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. his first major test as he endeavors to
revitalize the agriculture sector. Marcos, who is concurrently the agriculture secretary, has been
critical of imports that hurt the local farmers. He recently conceded, however, that shortages are
pushing him to ship in more sugar from overseas. Soft drink makers, bakeries and small eateries
say the sugar shortage and soaring prices are hurting their businesses and putting livelihoods at
risk.
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines has suspended operations at four of its 19 plants; 30%
to 40% of its production lines are not running, and a company is struggling to source bottler-
grade refined sugar. The disruption has affected nine hundred workers.

Marcos has met with stakeholders to assess the situation. After initially rejecting a
proposal to import three hundred thousand tonnes of sugar – a move lauded by local producers –
the president said the country would need to source sweeteners from overseas. “We will import.
We will be forced to do so,” Marcos told reporters last week. “Unfortunately, it’s the same
situation for the agricultural commodities in the Philippines”. “As much as possible, we don’t
want to import. But the problem is our production is not enough. And sometimes, the prices are
very high.

The sugar shortage comes with the rising commodity prices already squeezing Filipino
consumers. Philippine inflation climbed to 6.4% in July, the highest since 2018. Inflation for
sugar, confectionary and desserts grew faster at 17.6%, the statics agency reported. Major
supermarkets have agreed to lower sugar retail prices, Angeles said on Friday. The Government
has also raided sugar warehouses suspected of hoarding supplies, suggesting that the shortage
might be “artificial,” she said.
II.
We Filipinos, love our sweets and that we can be found in almost every aspect of
our cuisine; from our snacks up to dinner. But with the shortage of sugar in the Philippines which
affects everyone from little sari-sari shops to significant soda-making companies, it might be
difficult to satisfy our sweet desire. Since sugar is an essential input in most food and drinks in
the market, the shortage and increase in its price will be felt throughout the economy, causing
food prices everywhere. Because food prices will increase this will likely incentivize firms to
raise their prices to keep up with inflation. With respond to that, artificial sugar was rampantly
spread throughout the Philippines caused by some traders allegedly hoarding supply to rake in
profits.
With a rising crisis in sugar, the Coca-Cola beverages Philippines Inc. companies
has mostly affected to it. This cause to the slowing down of supplies of soft drinks which
triggered high prices. Not only is that, the said products no longer available in bottled by in a
plastic bottle. There are some soft drinks distributors have complained on the limited stocks
delivered to them living their clients strive to get allocation. Given that Filipinos are very fond of
sugars most especially in soda drinks, with this crises that sugar are facing, this gives burden to
every Filipinos who are loved taking sugars every day.

III.
As a student experiencing this crisis, this makes me anxious. Sugar might be bad
to our health as it gives so many illnesses, but we cannot change a fact that we can’t live without
it. We Filipinos are famous from making delicacies as known as “panghimagas” as to complete
or be delighted after our meal. So, hearing this kind of news upset me, because as one of coke
lover, I cannot rest for a day without taking coke into my system. In addition experiencing sugar
crisis also gives me an idea that we should, for now, lessen the intake of sugars as to control the
circulation of pulling out of sugars.