Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) — Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc sought to suspend the importation of 21,060 metric tons (MT) of onions, which the government claimed will help address the shortage and rising costs.
In their House Joint Resolution 18, Party-list Representatives Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, France Castro of ACT Teachers, and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan claimed the importation would harm local farmers — especially as the onion harvest season approaches.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also the Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary, approved this month the importation of onions — citing the skyrocketing prices of the commodity.
“The rising prices of onions in the market is not merely a problem on the supply but a manifestation of the long-standing issue of price manipulation, profiteering, and hoarding of onion cartels and large traders,” Brosas said in a statement Sunday.
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According to the DA’s price monitoring, a kilogram of onion sells for up to ₱400 in Metro Manila as of Jan. 20, five times higher than the cost in June last year.
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Brosas argued that the increase in onion prices should not be used as reason for the country to return to importation, citing how the Rice Tarification Law affected rice farmers.
“What the government must do is to strengthen local production and provide subsidy for distraught farmers. But with Marcos Jr. resorting to importation, big cartels and hoarders are now off the hook in this issue that has gravely affected the poor,” Brosas stressed.
Marcos earlier said the country is “forced” to import agricultural products such as onions due to insufficient local production and rampant smuggling in the country.
