MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has not been given a sugar allocation by the United States under its new tariff rate quota.
The omission was noted by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) which has asked the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to rectify the oversight.
SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin said the Philippines should get priority allocation since the country has been a very consistent and reliable sugar exporter to the US.
“The Philippines is one of the select countries given an annual sugar quota allocation to the US market at a premium. So, we really don’t know why we are not included, but we have already informed them [USTR] and they said that they will find a solution,” Martin said.
The SRA chief is hoping for a new announcement from the US government on July 4.
The Philippines is hoping to sell its excess sugar to the US market as domestic demand for sugar has dropped.
Martin said the excess sugar needs to be disposed of as early as possible so prices in the domestic market will stabilize.
Last week, the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) announced country-specific allocations amounting to 108,862 metric tons for fiscal year 2011 (ending Sept. 30).
The USDA said the in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) is in addition to the minimum amount to which the United States is committed under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Uruguay Round Agreements.
A TRQ allows a country to export a specific quantity of a product to the United States at a relatively low tariff. Imports of this product above the specified quantity will be subjected to a higher tariff. –Marianne V. Go (The Philippine Star)
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
