The crisis was blamed partly on wrong importation policy that was not in sync with the local harvest.
This holiday season, the government is not taking any chances, and is flooding the country with imports. And local onion farmers are crying.
Onion farmers in Nueva Ecija have been forced to dump their produce as imported bulbs flood the markets, making them unable to sell their stocks.
In a radio interview yesterday, Lot Manibog, a farmer from Nueva Ecija, said the dumping of onions will persist as the bulbs are rotting in cold storage facilities because traders patronize imported white onions, even though the wholesale price of local and imported onions is the same.
Manibog said the Department of Agriculture (DA) allowed the early importation of white onions despite the availability of the local produce in cold storage facilities.
For his part, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa maintained that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. only approved a minimal volume of imported white onions to ensure enough supply during the holidays.
This story is from the November 09, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 09, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Just and lasting peace
ROSES & THORNS
The movie in my mind
In a rare gesture from the highest office of the land, this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) got a big endorsement.
New vocabulary of 'brat' Innocents
“For your generation, what does ‘tito’ or ‘tita’ mean?” asked Ms. Rellzah, 22, my Gen Z partner in Sapol-dwIZ. Of course us seniors use those to address the brother or sister of our parent.
Why 'A Christmas Carol' endures
Since its publication in December 1843, \"A Christmas Carol\" by Charles Dickens has been a cherished presence during the holiday season.
Time to call 'Housekeeping'
Given how he and his administration scored in the latest survey, plus a couple of love letters from concerned groups regarding impeachments and budget cuts on the military, now would be the right time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do the necessary \"housekeeping\" among his non-performing appointees or NPAs in government.
Creative budgeting
People who feel overworked and underpaid, including teachers and health workers, should look at the fund allotments and expenditures of lawmakers for 2023—and weep.
Gains of anti-child labor law lauded
Sen. Loren Legarda lauded the gains of the 2003 Anti-Child Labor Law in reducing the number of Filipino children working in unsafe conditions, but acknowledged that poverty remains an issue.
12 Projects Eligible for CREATE MORE Incentives - BOI
Twelve projects with a capital investment of over P15 billion each are qualified to transfer their registration to CREATE MORE for availment of enhanced tax incentives, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).
Seafarers Move Global Trade - And Christmas Gifts
On a balmy December evening, four Indian crew members, eager to go explore this Mediterranean city where their container ship docked for a few hours, turned for help to Stella Maris.
Law penalizes foreign vessels polluting, poaching in Phl
A new law that President Marcos signed will protect the country from foreign ships that pollute domestic waters across the archipelago, and provide penalties as well for poachers who fish or explore local marine resources.
