Manila, Aug. 21 -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured sugar industry stakeholders that importation remains a tool for market and price stabilization, rather than a primary administration policy.

Tiu Laurel made the statement during the 72nd Philippine Sugar Technologists Association annual national convention, which ended Friday, according to a news release.

"Sugar importation is not the policy of this administration. It is a tool for price and market stabilization to be used when necessary and under clearly defined circumstances," he said.

"In future importations, we will just import just enough for what the country needs. Not more, not less."

He cited the current policy, wherein import allocati...