NextGen Day

In order to lessen the burden on Filipinos in the face of escalating onion prices that can reach as high as PHP300 per kilo, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Sunday that it is considering selling government-seized onions at Kadiwa ng Pasko sites.

Rex Estoperez, a deputy spokesperson for the DA, claimed in an interview with DZBB that DA Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said they would think about selling the onions if they were proven to meet phytosanitary import criteria.

“Sila marami nahuli. Is it permissible or unlawful for us to nilabas ourselves at Makadiwa and Mercado at this time? Therefore, if it’s safe or not, bago natin ilalabas ‘yan tingnan muna… They confiscated a lot of onions during the phytosanitary inspection in May. If we decide to release them in markets and Kadiwa, the question is, are they lawful and secure? Therefore, we must determine whether they are safe before releasing them. We need to perform a phytosanitary inspection on them beforehand),” he stated.

“Usec. Panganiban said okay let’s check and then sell them at Kadiwa sites so Filipinos may afford onions,” he continued.

At Kadiwa locations, customers could purchase onions for PHP170 per kg. There are already close to 400 Kadiwa locations nationwide.

Despite the possibility that the agency would eventually import onions, Estoperez noted that it will be necessary to create a balance between the needs of consumers and farmers.

He also issued a warning against unjustified price increases for onions to dishonest farmers and middlemen.

“Nanawagan na nga ang Pangulo, sige tumulong kayo, mag collaborate tayo nagsasamantala ka pa rin,” he said. Talagang forever na ‘yun, eh ang hirap kaya kung ang nakaugalian mo nagsasamantala ka. The President is pleading for everyone’s assistance and cooperation, yet you continue to take advantage of others. Huwag ka naman matamaan ng karma. If you’re used to being that way, you’ll always be that way. The problem is, I hope you don’t get hit by karma,” he remarked.

Estoperez stated that as long as the price increases for agricultural products like onions are fair, they are acceptable.

Food security is the president’s top priority, followed by ikaw sini-secure mo lang sarili mo. The President wants food security, but you make money for yourself instead. That’s incorrect),” he continued.

The Manila International Container Port had almost 100 metric tons (MT) of falsely claimed white onions worth PHP30 million, according to a Saturday announcement from the DA.

Additionally, on Friday, at least 1,000 bags of white onions were seized from a warehouse on Sto. Cristo Street in Tondo, Manila.

Fish and meat

Estoperez added that the DA is currently determining whether or not farmers selling meat and fish might begin to use Kadiwa locations.

“Our issue is that we are unable to manage the Kadiwa ng baboy and isda” (Kadiwa stores selling pork and fish). But perhaps if we can collaborate with the commercial sector who can supply cold storage, maybe we can do it,” he said. “Maybe if we can partner with the private sector who can provide cold storage, maybe we can do it.”

An initiative of the Office of the President and headed by the DA, the Kadiwa ng Pasko caravan seeks to promote reasonably priced, high-quality goods.

The initiative offers consumers the chance to purchase goods at reasonable prices and gives local agricultural producers and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses access to a market.

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