DUMAGUETE CITY — Senatorial candidate Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Thursday said the government should establish a clear policy to stop importing sugar during the local harvest season.

In a press conference here, Binay said such a policy would help sugar workers and the local sugar industry.

“So let us make a clear policy. During harvest time, no importation. That has to be clear in black and white, and our farmers can hold on to that,” she said.

Binay noted that only 20 percent of the country’s sugar supply is imported, while 80 percent is locally sourced.

She said there is significant potential for the country to become a major sugar producer if policies are put in place to encourage investors to build modern sugar mills.

This, she added, would also help lower sugar prices in the market.

“I think we also need to have an environment that is conducive for private investors to come in and bring in their money. They will be the ones to build modern mills to bring down the price of sugar,” Binay explained.

She also highlighted the economic benefits of achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.

“Imagine if we become 100 percent reliant on local produce and can even export our sugar — ang laki po ng tulong nito sa ekonomiya ng Negros (this would be a big help to the economy of Negros),” she said.

On Wednesday, Binay met with officers and members of the Asociacion Agricola de Bais y Tanjay Inc. and discussed the issues facing the sugar industry.

Binay was in Dumaguete for the proclamation rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.