Marcos: We're looking for ways to bring seized onions into PH market

The Philippine government is looking for measures to bring smuggled onions to the market to address the supply problem, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

Marcos' remarks came after the increase in the price of onions which rose to P700 per kilogram in some markets in Metro Manila.

According to the President, the government will continue to monitor the price, adding that "we will stick firmly to the recommended price."

"We’re trying to find ways to bring the smuggled onions that have been caught na ilagay na sa market para mabawasan ang supply problem," Marcos, who sits as Agriculture chief, said.

"But there are some legal issues to doing that immediately. So we’re still working on that. But we will keep the prices down by monitoring what’s happening in our palengke," he added.

On Thursday, the Department of Agriculture set the suggested retail price of onions in the National Capital Region at P250 per kilo.

“Considering the effects of the rising fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, aggravated by the pandemic cause high prices of agricultural commodities,” it stated.

“In order not to aggravate the current difficulties of the Filipino people affected by the pandemic and rising fuel prices, there is a need to guide the consuming public on the reasonable prices of basic necessities in the market,” it added.

Reports said the price of onions increased from P140 in September, P280 in November, P300 from December 12 to 16, P380 from December 19 to 23, and P720 on December 28.

Last week, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced the confiscation of P171 million worth of smuggled agricultural and food products from China, including fresh red and white onions.

Department of Agriculture deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez said the agency would still check if there was a need to import onions early next year if the supply does not normalize by then. —NB, GMA Integrated News