THE Agriculture Department‘s importation ban on onions is currently in effect.
This means that no onion imports are allowed due to an oversupply.
However, this warehouse in Barangay Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas City, has a hidden secret.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Customs (BoC) raided the warehouse and saw thousands of boxes of smuggled products from China.
The products were allegedly misdeclared, as the company’s permit stated they were importing egg tarts and kimchi.
However, after receiving a tip from concerned citizens, it was discovered that the contents of the seven cold storages were actually smuggled onions, tomatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.
DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., stated that smuggled products has no import permits.
‘‘We don’t know if these are safe to eat because there are no papers, no health certificate, and they did not undergo phytosanitary inspection. It’s risky because they might carry diseases or pests,’’ statement of Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Department of Agriculture.
One possible reason being considered by the DA is that these smuggled products are being stored and only released when there is a shortage in supply.
‘‘This could affect the prices and the livelihoods of our farmers, especially those growing carrots, tomatoes, and onions,’’ Sec. Laurel Jr. added.
According to DA data, they seized about 225,000 kilos of onions and nearly 100,000 kilos of carrots.
Additionally, about 400 kilos of tomatoes and 10 kilos of mushrooms were also confiscated.
In total, the agency seized 300 metric tons of smuggled agricultural products in the said warehouse.
The smuggled products might be destroyed or returned to their country of origin, but since they are valuable, they will first undergo food safety testing.
‘‘We will file a request with the Court to allow these products to be sold. Most likely, they will be sold through our Kadiwa stores,’’ Laurel said.
‘‘We will take samples for food safety testing. We will check for pesticide residues, microorganisms, and assess whether they are safe,’’ Dir. Glenn Panganiban, Bureau of Plant Industry stated.
However, the owner, who is still being sought and will face multiple charges.
‘‘We will file charges against the consignees whose names are on the documents and the actual owners of the cargo. We will also investigate who leased this storage to trace the true owner of the shipment.’’
‘‘We will file a criminal case for smuggling,’’ according to Bienvenido Rubio, Commissioner, BOC.
‘‘This consignee will definitely be blacklisted,’’ Laurel added.
