The plant of softdrinks maker Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) in Tagbilaran City suspended its operations starting Sept. 16, 2022 based on the announcement placed on its factory premises.
CCBPI, the maker of softdrink brands Coca-Cola, Sprite, Royal Tru-Orange, among others, announced the temporary suspension of its operation due to the low supply of bottler’s grade sugar as the country continues to grip the crisis of low supply of sugar.
This is the first time the Coca-Cola plant in Tagbilaran City suspended its operation since the softdrinks factory started to manufacture beverages here decades ago.
The management of Coca-Cola said that it is unable to provide ample supply of softdrinks in the market due to the sugar crisis affecting the country.
The announcement of suspension of operations did not carry any information as to the date when the factory will resume its operations and manufacture softdrinks again here in Tagbilaran City.
To recall, few days ago, the national government suspended the export of sugar to countries abroad.
Reports say that sugar produced by the country will be only for domestic consumption for now.
This comes after the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) released an order earmarking the sugar production for crop year 2022-2023 for domestic use only.
In its Sugar Order No. 1, series of 2022-2023, the SRA said that 100% of raw sugar production for the current crop year shall be classified as “B”.
This means that all sugar produced in the country will no longer be sold outside the country or placed in reserve.
SHUTDOWN
The suspension of operation of Coca-Cola’s Tagbilaran factory happened a few weeks after the management of the softdrinks maker confirmed that there are some softdrink bottling plants that halted production of soda and other similar beverages using sugar as a key ingredient.
The CCBPI did not mention which plants suspended operations due to the sugar crisis affecting the country.
CCBPI said back last month that it has been cooperating with the national government to find a solution to the production problems brought about by the sugar crisis.