Manila, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Department of Agriculture of the Philippines announced on Sunday that the prohibition on sugar imports will remain effective until December of next year, providing continued protection for local producers as supply conditions improve.

"Given the current projections for both sugar production and demand, a more extended import moratorium than initially proposed is essential," stated Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, according to Xinhua News Agency.

He highlighted the increase in domestic raw sugar production and underscored that this policy aims to prioritize locally sourced sugar while aiding in market stabilization.

As the chair of the Sugar Board, the governing body of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Tiu Laurel indicated that the agency will enhance its monitoring of refinery operations to ensure an accurate assessment of both standard and premium-grade refined sugar stocks.

On December 9, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country's manufacturing output saw a rise in October, with the value of the production index (VaPI) increasing by 1.7% year-on-year, up from 1.6% in September.

The volume of production index (VoPI) grew 1.4%, compared to 0.8% the previous month. This growth in the manufacturing sector's VaPI was largely driven by a significant increase in the production of computer, electronic, and optical products, which surged by 16.8% and represented 60.1% of the sector's overall growth.

Additional support came from a slower annual decline in chemicals and chemical products at 23.5% and a rebound in the manufacturing of wood, bamboo, cane, and rattan at 15.1%.

Among the remaining 19 industry divisions, 13 recorded year-on-year increases while six showed declines.

The primary contributors to the year-on-year growth of the manufacturing VaPI in October included the production of computer, electronic, and optical products, food items, and basic pharmaceutical products and preparations.