A farmer has a lot of regrets after someone uprooted and stole his hard-earned onion crops in Moncada, Tarlac.
In a report by Russel Simorio on GMA Regional TV “One North Central Luzon” this Friday, it was said that the incident happened in Ruel Santiago’s half-hectare plantation in Barangay Pantol Sapang.
Some remaining onion plants uprooted by unknown assailants can still be seen in the area.
“Sobrang nanghihinayang, kahit anong gawin natin ay hindi na maibabalik kasi wala ring ebidensya. Nagagalit yung asawa ko, gustong umiyak pero ano pang magagawa mo kahit umiyak sabi ko,” said Santiago.
It is said that Santiago lost P50,000 due to the stolen plants. It is said that he spends a lot growing such onions.
Santiago just surrendered the incident to God and did not report it to the police.
“Sana po huwag na nilang ulitin sa iba kasi nakuha na nila yung gusto nila. Para fair lang ang laban kumayod sila nang naaayon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to set up accredited Kadiwa Stores in Metro Manila markets in response to the increase in commodity prices.
P50K worth of onions uprooted, stolen in Tarlac
According to Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista, the price of agricultural products will be lowered if retailers get products directly from farmers.
So the DA will contact farmer cooperatives who are willing to drop their products in the markets.
“Kung ang ating mga retailer ay magpapatong ng kahit P10 sa ibabagsak ng magsasaka, makakakuha tayo sa palengke na P20 cheaper than the prices we see now sa mga palengke,” said Evangelista.
Traders and middlemen are also one of the visible problems of the DA that cause the price increase.
DA’s target is to have accredited Kadiwa Stores in three markets per city.
It is intended to be implemented until March so the department is adjusting the implementing rules of the program.
Some of the priority products that can be sold at accredited Kadiwa Stores are onions, garlic, eggs, and tomatoes which have had supply problems in recent months.
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