MANILA, Philippines --- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippines wouldn't need to import too much sugar next year under favorable weather conditions. Laurel, during the Committee on Appointments' Tuesday deliberations on his appointment as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, was asked by SAGIP Party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta if it is accurate that the Philippines would have to import about 500,000 metric tons of sugar in 2024. "Based on our estimates with [the] Sugar Regulatory Administration, which we've been meeting for the last two weeks, we feel that next year we don't need to import too much sugar ...Keep on reading: PH may reduce sugar importation in 2024, says DA chief