House panel to tackle SIDA amendments Tuesday

By Glazyl M. Jopson

TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental — The House Committee on Agriculture and Food is set to discuss proposed amendments to the Sugarcane Industry Development Act on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez said he and committee Chairman Mark Enverga would discuss sugar industry concerns that must be raised with the national government.

“We’re looking at global best practices, but based on the grounded situation in the local level. We want to get to a point that the sugar industry is modernized, efficient, and globally competitive,” Benitez said.

Benitez filed a bill in May seeking to amend Republic Act 10659, or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015.

The original law was authored by his father and predecessor, Bacolod Rep. and Deputy Speaker Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.

House Bill 9088, also known as the proposed Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal Act of 2026, seeks to address persistent volatility in sugar production, pricing, and supply.

Sugar industry stakeholders have attributed these problems to regulatory gaps, import policies, and weaknesses in program implementation.

The measure seeks to establish a more responsive, data-driven, and inclusive framework for the industry, which remains a major source of livelihood in rural communities.

“We’ll be doing a 10-year review. What worked and didn’t work,” Benitez said.

He said lawmakers expected more resource persons to attend the hearing so they could thoroughly discuss the proposed amendments.

Benitez expressed hope that the sugar industry could become more competitive.

“We are not yet there. Unfortunately, fat from there, but we have to make way because the sugar industry is the strength of the province,” he said.

The proposed legislation would introduce data-based triggers for sugar importation.

It would impose an 18-month moratorium on commercial sugar imports, subject to exceptions during supply shortages.

The measure also provides for a price-support mechanism, emergency cash assistance for affected farmers, subsidies for appropriate farm inputs, and temporary loan relief for small planters.

It would expand the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s authority to regulate sugar substitutes, including high-fructose corn syrup and other caloric and noncaloric sweeteners.

The bill also proposes a more inclusive SRA governing board.

The proposed board would include representatives of sugar millers, planters, refineries, small farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, field and mill workers, and industrial users.

The measure would require regular stakeholder consultations and the publication of industry data and policy decisions to improve transparency.

It would also restructure the allocation of funds under SIDA by prioritizing climate adaptation, infrastructure, research and development, and direct assistance to farmers.

The SRA would be required to maintain a publicly accessible system for tracking fund use and industry data.

Other proposed reforms would support mechanization, precision agriculture, and value-added industries to improve productivity and long-term competitiveness.

The measure also calls for stricter monitoring to curb smuggling and ensure accurate industry reporting.

Government agencies, sugar industry leaders, researchers, local officials, and farmers gathered Sunday at Nature’s Village Resort for the Metro Third Sugar Industry Stakeholders’ Meeting.

The meeting addressed the growing threat of the red-striped soft scale insect, or RSSI, to the region’s sugar industry.

Benitez organized the summit under the theme “Science for Solutions, Leaders for Institutions.”

The event focused on science-based strategies to prevent and control the pest while strengthening coordination across the congressional district.

Discussions covered 75 sugar-producing barangays in Murcia and the cities of Talisay, Victorias, Silay, and E.B. Magalona.

SRA data showed that 5,844.18 hectares of the district’s 34,831.01 hectares of sugarcane plantations had been affected by the infestation.

Murcia recorded the largest affected area at 2,032.84 hectares.

E.B. Magalona recorded the smallest affected area at 596.65 hectares.

RSSI is a sap-feeding pest that weakens sugarcane plants and can reduce yields.

The insect also produces honeydew that promotes fungal growth, blackens leaves, and interferes with photosynthesis.

The outbreak poses a threat to thousands of farmers and workers in Negros, the country’s largest sugar-producing island.

Benitez said on the sidelines of the meeting that a local action plan would be developed.

He said he hoped local government units would commit to the coordinated response.

“This is a high level discussion aiming to involve everyone and to make them aware about the RSSI, how to combat it, and the benefits of every organization to be able to use the disaster funds properly and align into something effective and impactful,” he said.

Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity because of the infestation, which has affected 31,432.08 hectares farmed by 15,264 growers in 330 barangays.

Benitez said the response should be based on science and evidence and should involve the entire community.

“This is to really find a better solution to the problem,“ he added.

The meeting examined the pest’s biology, ecology, and economic effects.

Participants also discussed factors contributing to outbreaks and the principles of area-wide integrated pest management.

Technical discussions covered biological control, ecosystem-based management, coordinated monitoring, and area-wide interventions.

In January, Benitez organized a public consultation on challenges confronting the sugar industry.

The consultation brought together stakeholders to discuss declining mill-gate sugar prices, their effects on producers, workers, and rural communities, and possible policy and industry responses.