Villar vows full support for vegetable growers

Sen. Manny Villar expressed alarm yesterday, over the unabated entry of cheap vegetable imports into the country, saying their entry and sale in the local markets pose unfair competition to the Cordillera-based vegetable industry.

In a meeting with farmers’ leaders, traders and local officials here, Villar, vice-chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, pledged to support clamors to stop the entry of cheap vegetable imports, saying he would bring this issue to the attention of President Arroyo.

Villar said he would seek an appointment with the President this week on the issue, even as he expressed surprise over reports that sizable amounts of cheap vegetable imports were smuggled in by some unscrupulous local traders and sold in big Metro Manila supermarkets.

Villar was also informed that cheap vegetable imports came not only from Australia or the United States, but also from China, which is known for its exports of cheap consumer goods and fruits.

First, we came to know of rice smuggling. Then, we came to know of onion smuggling. Now, we have smuggling of vegetables. It seems that smuggling is a continuing process," Villar said.

Among those whom Villar met were Benguet Gov. Raul Molintas, Mountain Province Gov. Sario Malinas, La Trinidad Mayor Nestor Fongman, Kibungan Mayor Murphy Paayos and officials of farmer’s cooperatives, traders