Carinderias, vendors fear loss of income as sugar crisis looms
SALE OF SOFT DRINKS MATTERS
THE reported shortage in supply of sugar in the country has become a serious concern for owners of carinderias, sari-sari stores, and street stall vendors. They have expressed fears of losing much of their regular income from selling soft drinks in the neighborhood.
This was their sentiment after the ‘big three’ soft drinks manufacturers, namely Coca-Cola Beverage Philippine Inc., ARC Refreshment Corporation, and Pepsi Cola Product Philippines issued a joint statement on Tuesday, August 16, confirming the impact of scarcity of supply of premium refined sugar for their products.
They confirmed that they will run out of premium refined sugar by September if the situation doesn’t change for the better.
Aling Terry, a sari-sari store owner in Dagupan City, told The PUNCH that she and other owners stand to lose what they earn from consignment of cases by distributors alone in addition to ‘deposits’ and plastic bottle versions of beverages, and margins from their direct sales.
She said the soft drinks business allows her to earn minimum of P500 per delivery of consignment.
“Kailangan na paghandaan namin ito kung sakaling matigil sa produksyon ng soft drinks”, said Jun, another carinderia owner in Calasiao town.
However, other small vendors could still see some opportunity in the looming crisis.
Steve, a street hawker, said he can still make some by selling with a higher margin to thirsty people who long for the taste of cold soft drinks.
“Papatungan ko lang naman yan tapos ibebenta sa mga nauuhaw sa lugar. Bibili pa rin ang mga tao ng softdrinks kahit mahal kasi gustung-gusto nila yan”, he said.
Small businessmen said they could not care less about the impact of the sugar shortage on national economy, but its impact on their livelihood worries them.
Some cited concerns aired by Rafael Alunan III, a businessman and former DILG Secretary, who warned that President Bongbong Marcos’ ‘inaction’ could bring about a domino effect.
“There is no time to lose. Otherwise, bottling plants will experience production downturns and labor layoffs; government will experience lower tax collections and diminished investor confidence; consumers will be deprived of affordable soft drink supply”, he said. (Ahikam Pasion)
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