MANILA, Feb. 1 -- The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Tuesday it is awaiting the approval of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on its draft import plan of 450,000 metric tons of sugar for buffer stock.

During the Laging Handa briefing, SRA board member and planters' representative Pablo Luis Azcona said they have considered the feedback of sugar producers and other stakeholders in the finalization of their draft import plan.

"We have already received the recommendations and comments of our stakeholders," he said.

"What SRA will do is monitor the outstanding stocks of local sugar, and once we anticipate that we are about to lose supply, we will slowly release from the 450,000 (metric tons) that we are talking about. So, t...