Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) — For this week, Susan Rosario has only sold red onions. The situation is the same in markets around Metro Manila like the Balintawak Market in Quezon City due to the near total absence of white onions.
According to Rosario, customers are disappointed over the shortage of white onions.
“Matumal ang benta pag ganon ma’am kasi syempre yung mga bumibili binabudget lang naman nila yung pera nila,” says Rosario.
[Translation: Sales have been slow because people are sticking to their budget.)
Rosario’s supplier said they are not receiving their usual supply of white onions from farmers in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and even from Mindoro.
A farmer from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro said there is no problem with growing white onions in the country, but the challenging thing about the produce is storage.
“Depende rin kasi sa variety yan ng sibuyas na itatanim lalo na kung istock mo sa bahay, pag lamig madali sila magsibol or magkaroon ng fungi or mabulok,” said Jose Vidal, a farmer from Mindoro.
[Translation: I would depend on the variety of onion, especially when these are kept at home where they easily sprout or rot.]
The Federation of Free Farmers, meanwhile, suggested the Department of Agriculture (DA) ramp up its supply monitoring to avoid getting caught off guard, which could result in sellers taking desperate measures to address shortage problems.
“The DA is always getting caught unaware of all the situation. Mukhang wala silang up-to-date monitoring ng supply at iba pang market conditions. Magkakaroon ng shortage then scramble for solutions. Usually their solution is to import,” said Raul Montemayor, national manager of the Federation.
[Translation: The DA is always getting caught unaware of all the situation. It seems they are not updated with supply monitoring and other marker conditions. They scramble when a shortage happens. Usually their solution is to import.]
The DA is, in fact, eyeing the importation of white onions to address the shortage.
Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President and Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said the shortage could possibly be a modus operandi created by some officials in order to make way for importation.
DA officials have yet to issue further comment on the issue.
