Stop onion imports, gov’t asked

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Onion farmers have asked the government to stop allowing the importation of onions, and urged national and local candidates to commit themselves to stopping onion importation.

The supply of locally produced onions will not run short, they added.

Aquilino Lopez, Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL) Nueva Ecija head, said farmers are compelled to lower the prices of onions by P5 to P10 per kilo.

“The prices of our locally produced onions plunge during the election years because we could no longer compete with imported onions which flood the market during such times,” he said.

Joseph Canlas, AMGL president, said the Department of Agriculture was to blame for the flooding of onions in markets, particularly in Nueva Ecija.

“Our report is that no less than 179 onion importers have been issued permits,” he said.

Canlas said an importer from Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija was able to import 50 container vans of onions last Dec. 3.

The onions are stored in a warehouse, he added.

Canlas said most imported onions, including those being smuggled, land in the free port in Dingalan, Aurora.

“We have reports that some of these onions are brought to Palayan City for storage,” he said.

Canlas said more onion imports are expected this  month and in the months to come.

The government must not be “too subservient” to the World Trade Organization, he added.