THE current prices of red and white onions, which consumers can purchase, are no longer alarming. However, a lawmaker raised the possibility that some of these may be smuggled and contaminated.
Onions are a primary ingredient in various dishes.
But because of its high price in the market, some consumers opt to buy online.
For example, red and white onions are for sale on Facebook at prices ranging from P25/kg to P50/kg.
Apart from Facebook, you can also purchase them on various online shopping platforms such as Shopee and Lazada.
But according to a lawmaker, such activities are illegal.
It was discovered that the onions sold online may be smuggled and possibly contaminated with E.coli bacteria, posing a threat to human health.
Agri Partylist Representative Wilbert Lee filed a resolution to investigate the widespread sale of these onions.
‘‘I have received complaints from both sides. On the other hand, our farmers are complaining because they fear they will have losses due to the low farm gate prices resulting in oversupply and the risk of spoilage due to many selling online,’’ according to Rep. Wilbert Lee, Agri Partylist.
The lawmaker also received reports from consumers who bought onions online, only to find them rotten.
‘‘They are asking how they can return what they bought because they found worms, rot, and even according to the DA, the onions they confiscated have E.coli,’’ Rep. Lee said.
A house inquiry is expected this week, where government agencies such as the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will explain how these onions slipped through.
The possibility of government officials being involved in the online sale of smuggled onions is not ruled out.
DA-BPI says no officials involved in sale of smuggled onions online
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Plant Industry of the DA is confident that no official is involved. BPI Director Glenn Panganiban stated in a text message to SMNI News that they did not issue import permits for the importers.
‘‘Definitely not BPI because we do not issue permits, and we are the ones apprehending,’’ according to Dir. Glenn Panganiban, DA-BPI.
Still, they are willing to cooperate to resolve the issue.
‘‘Rest assured that we are coordinating with the proper authorities and law enforcement units, and as soon as we get information, we are coordinating with them,’’ Dir. Panganiban added.
Onion growers at a disadvantage due to rampant smuggled onions in market —SINAG
If this issue is not resolved, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), said that many farmers may lose interest in planting onions. Jayson Cainglet, the Executive Director of the group, said that farmers are incurring losses due to being underpriced by traders, compounded by rampant smuggling.
‘‘Actually, last year, because of high farm gate prices, many were encouraged to plant again because prices were good last year. What we are looking at is that our onion growers might get tired of planting again because they work hard for months, and yet when the harvest comes, they earn nothing,’’ according to Jayson Cainglet, Executive Director, SINAG.
A farmer from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, shared how the issue of smuggled onions badly affects their livelihood.
‘‘That’s our concern because we are really affected, especially now with white onions. They [smugglers] should have caught them already,’’ Efren Alvarez Onion Farmer, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, said.
