Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan formally presented a situationer on the country’s sugar industry to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on January 28, highlighting urgent challenges confronting farmers, mill workers, and consumers, and outlining key policy recommendations to stabilize the sector.

During the meeting, the chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform raised issues which include high production costs, declining farm incomes, supply volatility, and the long-term impact of importation policies on local producers. 

“Nararapat na magkaroon ang ating industriya ng asukal ng transparent at balanseng polisiya at estratehiya na naglalayong protektahan hindi lamang ang industriya, kundi ang mga manggagawa na araw-araw nagpapakahirap panatilihing itong buhay—ang ating mga magsasaka,” he said. 

“We must ensure that solutions are fair, evidence-based, and responsive to the realities on the ground,” the senator added.

In the recently held public consultation with the House of Representatives and sugar planters in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Pangilinan bid to identify the challenges that plague the multi-billion-peso industry, pointed out the massive impact of the sugar industry on the country’s economy and the livelihood of farmers and other industry stakeholders. 

“The sugar industry supports hundreds of thousands of Filipino families. Any policy decision must take into account its effect on farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and rural development,” he explained. “This situationer is meant to provide a clear picture of where the industry stands and what immediate and long-term actions are needed.”

Executive Secretary Recto assured the senator that the sugar industry is one of the priorities of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and that the concerns raised would be reviewed and elevated to the appropriate offices for policy consideration as part of the administration’s broader effort to craft responsive interventions for the sector.

The Executive Secretary also stressed the importance of close coordination between the executive and legislative branches, as well as continuous dialogue with farmers, millers, and other stakeholders.

Pangilinan, who ran under the slogan “Walang Kulay ang Gutom,” vowed to continue working with the executive branch, as well as across political party lines, to pursue reforms that will lead to a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable sugar industry.

Based on Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Reports as of January 2026, the number of operating raw sugar mills declined from 28 in 2018 to 25 in 2025, with 13 mills located primarily in Negros Island. Sugar refineries also dropped from 13 to 10 over the same period, with only five refineries capable of producing premium-grade refined sugar. 

The senator also lamented the decline in farmgate prices, with the per-bag of sugar dropping to P2,150 to P2,300 last year. The current production cost is P2,500 per 50-kilogram bag.