Manila, Feb. 9 -- Government officials and lawmakers on Monday agreed on a set of immediate and longer-term measures to stabilize the sugar industry, as declining farmgate prices, refining constraints, and market uncertainty continue to pressure farmers and stakeholders.

The agreement followed a Jan. 23 consultation with sugarcane farmers, millers, refiners, and other stakeholders, which surfaced concerns over falling farmgate prices, excess raw sugar, and gaps in policy coordination affecting the market.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, together with Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga and Apayao lone district Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, joined Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and other officials in mapping a coordinated re...