Sugar Regulatory Administration (Philippines)

The Philippines' Sugar Regulatory Administration (Filipino: "Pangasiwaan sa Regulasyon ng Asukal"), abbreviated as SRA, is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for promoting the growth and development of the sugar industry through greater participation of the private sector and to improve the working conditions of the laborers.

History

On September 16, 1937, the National Assembly authorized the Commonwealth President to create the Philippine Sugar Administration (PSA).

After the war, in 1951, the office was renamed the Sugar Quota Administration (SQA). The office undertook the allocation and administration of export, domestic reserve and world sugar quota, issuances of quedan permits, and verifying and recording transfers or assignments of allotments.

In order to improve productivity, the Philippine Sugar Institute (PHILSUGIN) was created on June 16, 1951 under Republic Act 632. The agency was tasked to conduct research work for the sugar industry in all its phases, agricultural and industrial.

Early in the 1960s, relationships between the United States and Cuba -- one of the top sugar-producing countries of the world -- became strained. This development proved favorable for the Philippines and the other sugar exporting countries as policies for expansion were issued to the mills and has opened greater areas for sugar cane planting.

In 1977, the Philippine Sugar Commission (PHILSUCOM) was created by virtue of P.D. No. 388 to further bolster the revitalization of the sugar industry. It was amended by P.D. 775 and 1192. The decree integrated the functions of PHILSUGIN, SQA and PNB Philex.

The National Sugar Trading Corporation (Nasutra), an affiliate of PHILSUCOM was then established for the purpose of reinvigorating the industry as a result of the slump brought about by the cancellation of US sugar quota system.

After the EDSA Revolution in 1986, the Aquino administration through Executive Order 18 established the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). Free enterprise trading of sugar is allowed to prevail, although the production of the same should be regulated and supported by an innovative research and development program and a socio-economic program which is primarily the private sector's responsibility. The SRA is mandated to promote the growth and development of the sugar industry through greater and significant participation of the private sector and to improve the working conditions of laborers. Thus, the agency concentrates its efforts on effectively discharging regulatory, R and D socio-economic activities such as the livelihood programs for the sugar workers.

The first sugar board was composed of Arsenio B. Yulo, Jr., as Chairman-Administrator and two Board Members Bibiano C. Sabino and Carlos Ledesma representing the planters and millers respectively.

ee also

*Department of Agriculture

External links

* [http://www.sra.gov.ph SRA Homepage]
* [http://www.e-sra.org SRA Visayas Homepage]
* [http://www.e-sra.org/lgarec SRA-LGAREC Homepage]