The government, led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), is stepping up coordinated efforts to tackle challenges facing the sugar industry, from destructive pests to rising costs and market competition. Under the direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the agencies are rolling out immediate support and policy reforms to secure production, sustain thousands of jobs, and keep fair prices and steady supplies for Filipino consumers.
A key priority is fighting the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), an invasive pest that feeds on sugarcane sap and spreads black sooty mold, cutting yields and sugar content by as much as half. Interventions already underway in the Visayas include financial aid for farmers, chemical controls, drone monitoring, and biological pest management methods. A Sugar Industry Pest and Disaster Management Task Force has also been formed to unify responses across production, climate adaptation, financing, and disaster preparedness.
Beyond the pest crisis, the industry faces drought risks, climbing production expenses, and growing competition from artificial sweeteners that are eating into demand for local cane sugar. Data shows sweeteners made up 18.4 percent of the market in 2024–2025—equal to 503,117 metric tons—while refined sugar demand dropped nearly 14 percent. Stakeholders are pushing for tighter regulation of these substitutes, alongside legislative changes that would reserve lower tax rates for beverages using pure Philippine cane sugar, impose higher tiers on products with artificial or imported sweeteners, and remove existing tax exemptions for stevia.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that support must come with smart policies and laws to keep farmers competitive and productive. SRA chief Pablo Luis Azcona noted these measures are vital to protecting livelihoods across sugar-growing regions, where the sector employs tens of thousands of Filipinos. Both agencies confirmed they will work closely with Congress to advance these legislative and regulatory adjustments, ensuring local sugar remains accessible, affordable, and the preferred choice for Filipino households.
