Imee Marcos wants probe on rising onion prices

Senator Imee Marcos has introduced legislation calling for a Senate investigation into the skyrocketing market pricing of local onions.

In proposed Senate Resolution 350, filed on December 6, Marcos stated that there is a “need to determine the cause, as well as ensure” that the Bureau of Plant and Industry’s (BPI) suggestion to import onions will not “kill the local onion production or industry.”

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She referenced an Administrative Circular No. 09 issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on October 7 that sets the suggested retail price for red onions in Metro Manila at P170 per kilogram.

However, despite the government’s imposition of a price cap, Marcos observed red onion prices in public marketplaces remained high.

According to DA statistics, the senator stated that as of November 29, most Metro Manila public markets were still selling local red onion for P280 to P300 per kilogram.

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She then stated that the BPI has allegedly suggested the importation of onions to control red onion prices and address a supply constraint caused by agricultural damage from Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in October 2022 as increased demand during the holiday season.

Furthermore, the senator highlighted a November 30 news story in which Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) head Rosendo So warned that retail prices for onions could reach due to a shortage of P400 per kilo.

Imee Marcos wants probe on rising onion prices

According to So, some DA executives were allegedly conspiring with traders to influence the supplies of onions.

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In her resolution, Marcos also cited the seizure of around 1,037 bags of yellow onions in Tondo, Manila, by the Bureau of Customs, DA, Philippine National Police, and the Coast Guard.

According to the BOC and PNP, the seized commodities were worth roughly P1.9 million. However, the BPI indicated that the market value of the confiscated onions was around P3.9 million.

According to Marcos, BPI investigated the stolen onions and discovered that part of them contained impurities.

She stated that the DA had previously advised the public against purchasing onions from online platforms, warning that they could be smuggled products that have not been evaluated and are likely unsafe for human consumption.

The draft resolution was submitted to the Senate Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Committee.

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