BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Small farmers and sugar workers in Negros have launched a nationwide signature campaign calling for the resignation of top agriculture and sugar regulatory officials, citing mounting losses and hardship linked to what they described as excessive sugar importation.
The campaign, announced Thursday, seeks to gather at least 100,000 signatures for an open letter addressed to Ferdinand Marcos Jr., urging the removal of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and all members of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board.
Among those named were SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, planters’ representative Dave Andrew Sanson and millers’ representative Ma. Mitzi Mangwag.
Leaders of labor and farmers groups said the initiative reflects growing anger among agrarian reform beneficiaries, farm workers and industry stakeholders who accuse regulators of “betraying” the sector. An initial 5,000 signatures have already been collected, with support from more than 30 organizations.
In their open letter, farmers said they are suffering from falling sugar prices and rising production costs, blaming a government-approved importation program that they say flooded the domestic market. The importation of 424,000 metric tons of sugar under Sugar Order No. 8 for crop year 2024–2025 pushed prices to “poverty levels,” they said, adding that each shipment of imported sugar “is like a nail in the coffin” of their livelihood.
The complaint comes amid broader concerns over the economic impact of imports on the local industry. Earlier reports estimated the sector has already lost billions of pesos due to overimportation, with further losses projected if the trend continues.
Farmers also criticized the SRA for refusing to release meeting records related to the import decision, raising transparency concerns.
“We are not just numbers in an economic report,” the letter said, describing families unable to afford schooling and communities sinking deeper into debt.
The groups urged the president to appoint new leaders who would prioritize Filipino farmers, ensure fair pricing and protect the domestic sugar industry.
Paghimutad 