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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos: Gov't trying to find ways to bring seized smuggled onions to market

Marcos: Gov't trying to find ways to bring seized smuggled onions to market

Published Dec 29, 2022 11:25 pm

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the government is trying to find ways to bring seized smuggled onions to the market in an attempt to resolve the supply problem in the country.

Operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cagayan de Oro seize two containers of smuggled onions - approximately worth P3 million - from China last Oct. 15. (Photos from BOC)

Marcos said this on Thursday, Dec. 29, as he assured the public that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will impose a suggested retail price (SRP) on onions to control its price and ensure sufficient supply in the market

The DTI will implement an SRP of P250 per kilo on red onions effective Friday, Dec. 30.

“We will stick firmly to the recommended price. The DTI will continue to monitor. We’re trying to find ways to bring the smuggled onions that have been caught na ilagay na sa market para mabawasan ang supply problem,” Marcos said.

The President, however, said putting the smuggled commodity into the market will take time as the act is considered prohibited under the law.

“But there are some legal issues in doing that immediately. So we’re still working on that. But we will keep the prices down by monitoring what’s happening in our palengke (market),” he pointed out.

Some lawmakers have called for an inquiry on the soaring prices of local onions amid the recent flooding of imported varieties and the reported rampant smuggling from other countries.

Department of Agriculture (DA) officials attributed the spike in the prices of white onions to a supply shortfall after many onion farmers have shifted to planting the red onion variety.

Marcos said he may visit areas affected by the shear line after his China visit on Jan. 3 to 5 to know the condition on the ground.

“Unfortunately, tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung ulan (the rains are still happening). So we have to keep watching the other areas also... but yes, probably if there is a reason to go,” Marcos said.

“But it always helps to go and see for yourself. So I’ll try to make the time to go," he added.

Heavy rains submerged rural villages, towns and highways in the Visayas and Mindanao regions on Christmas Day, forcing many people to flee their homes.

Authorities reported multiple deaths and thousands of families still sheltering in evacuation centers as of Thursday.

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Bongbong Marcos DTI SMUGGLED ONIONS 122922 onions President Marcos
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