Bacolod City – Sharing the concerns of lawmakers on the unabated entry of artificial sweeteners into the country, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called for a review of its import volume and policies.
Lacson noted a steady increase in the volume of unregulated artificial sweeteners entering the country, as imports increased from 355,196 metric tons in 2021 to 448,499 metric tons in 2022, further rising to 473,029 metric tons in 2023, 493,048 metric tons in 2024, and 427,523 metric tons in 2025.
For sugar-producing provinces like Negros Occidental, these volumes inevitably affect demand for locally produced sugar, placing pressure on prices and income across the value chain—from farmers and mill workers to transporters and small rural enterprises that depend on the industry, he added.
Alongside the economic impact, there is a public health aspect that warrants careful, science-based consideration, consistent with the principles upheld by the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, according to Lacson.
Certain artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, which is 600 times sweeter than natural sugar, are permitted for use within established safety limits. However, DOH and FDA aligned guidance consistently emphasizes the importance of moderation, proper labeling, and informed consumer choice, the governor further said
Stakeholders of the sugar industry have also been alarmed over what they called as the over-importation of sugar, which is also being blamed for the sharp decline in mill gate prices of sugar.
Senator Francis Pangilinan and Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga, who presided over the recent public consultation on sugar in Talisay City, also called on the Department of Health to look into the unabated entry of artificial sweeteners into the country to determine their effects on the health of the Filipino people.
Noting that SRA has no authority to act on the entry of artificial sweeteners in the country, Pangilinan said the Senate will look into whether they can legislate the entry of artificial sweeteners.
With the increasing presence of high-intensity sweeteners in the food supply, Lacson underscored the need to ensure that consumers are clearly informed through accurate labeling, products complying strictly with acceptable daily intake and safety standards,
and the cumulative effects of widespread and long-term consumption, especially among children and vulnerable groups.
While the Negros Occidental provincial government recognizes the role of innovation, he stressed the importance of balanced regulation—one that protects and promotes public health, ensures informed dietary choices, and at the same time, safeguards that local agricultural industries are not disproportionately disadvantaged.
Aside from reviewing import volumes and policies governing artificial sweeteners, Lacson also called on the national government and concerned agencies to ensure its proper classification, strengthen coordination among economic and health agencies, including the DOH and FDA, in assessing market and consumption impacts, adopt measures that support the continued viability of the local sugar industry, while safeguarding consumer welfare.
Protecting the sugar industry of Negros Occidental is inseparable from protecting rural livelihoods, food security, and public health. Through constructive dialogue and evidence-based policy action, we believe it is possible to strike a fair and sustainable balance that serves both producers and consumers, Lacson further said in his statement. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)