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JAN 28

Reeblec oft he Philipines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Queen City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS '
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8577

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE SUGAR REGULATORY
ADMINISTRATION (SRA) SUGAR BOARD, AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 18

Executive Order No. 18, creating the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), was
promulgated to promote the growth and development of the sugar industry through
greater participation of the private sector. One of its objectives is “to establish and
maintain such balanced relations between production and requirement of sugar and
such marketing conditions as will ensure stabilized prices at a level reasonably profitable
to the producers and fair to the consumers.” The higher cost of sugar in the local market
compared to world market prices shows that the SRA has failed to realize this
objective.

The iniquitous composition of the Sugar Board, the governing body of the SRA, is
blamed for the problem. Under the law, the Board is composed of a Chairman to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines and two (2) members—one representing
the millers and the other representing the planters. Being composed of representatives
of sugar producers, the Board would formulate self-serving policies. The interest of
consumers is not protected.

To rectify this situation, the Board's composition must be expanded to provide additional

members representing sugar consumers.

LUIS RAYMUNP “LRAY’ F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Rewblec oft a Phil pines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
g

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8577

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE SUGAR REGULATORY
ADMINISTRATION (SRA) SUGAR BOARD, AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 18

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Executive Order No. 18 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Section 4. Governing Body: Sugar Board. — All corporate powers of the Sugar
Regulatory Administration shall be ve , and ex d by, the Sugar Board. The
Board shall be composed of an Administrator, who shall act as its Chairman, to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines, and FOUR (4) MEMBERS [two (2)
members]. The FOUR (4) [two (2)] members of the Board shall likewise be appointed by
the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the sugar industry with one
representing THE MILLERS, THE PLANTERS, FOOD PROCESSORS AND
CONSUMERS, RESPECTIVELY [the millers and the other representing the planters].
The Sugar Board shall meet in regular session once a month, the Board may be called
by the Chairman OR ANY MEMBER [both private sector representatives] to a special
session as the need arises.

The Administrator shall act as the Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Regulatory
Administration.”

SECTION 2. Section 5 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 5. Tenure. - The Administrator shalll hold office at the pleasure of the President
of the Philippines. The FOUR (4) {two (2)] members from the private sector shail hold
office for a period of three (3) years unless sooner removed for cause. No reappointment
of the members shall be made immediately upon termination of their respective terms of



office. Any member appointed to a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term of the
member whom he succeeds.”

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and s 9.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,