Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 7) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has set the suggested retail price (SRP) of imported red onions in Metro Manila wet markets at ₱125 per kilogram.
The DA on Tuesday said the issuance of the SRP, which covers medium- and big-sized onions, seeks to address the issue of overpricing.
\”[I]n order not to aggravate the current difficulties of the Filipino people affected by the pandemic and rising fuel prices, there is a need to guide the consuming public on the reasonable prices of basic necessities in the market,\” read the department’s Administrative Circular No. 5, dated Feb. 6.
The DA said the SRP is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 60 days from approval unless revised, revoked, or lifted.
Based on the agency’s monitoring of markets in the country’s capital region on Feb. 6, imported red onions were sold at ₱180 to ₱260 per kilo.
Meanwhile, locally produced ones were priced at ₱230 to ₱320.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who concurrently serves as DA secretary, approved last month the importation of the commodity amid skyrocketing prices which began late last year.
In December, the DA set the SRP of local red onions to ₱250 per kilo after prices topped ₱700. This was only in effect until the first week of January, with the department explaining there will be another round of consultations with stakeholders.
The Senate has begun its probe into the sharp increases in prices while lawmakers have also pushed for an inquiry in the House of Representatives.
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier said it will investigate DA officials over the matter.
