Filipino onion farmers cry over illegal trading

Filipino onion farmers are crying to the government for help to stop the illegal exportation and importation of the bulbous crop. According to Nueva Ecija-based farmers, importation cost of the product is only less then one centavo per kilo. The importers in turn sell these onions to P35.00- P45.00 per kilo in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The farmers said that these activities, which had remained unchecked for almost 10 years already, have affected their families to a great extent in terms of financial resources. "Tama na. Sobra na! (Stop it. That's enough!)," wailed the farmers' group which grows onion, a vegetable famous for its ability to sting the eyes of cooks and make them cry uncontrollably. The government, through the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have agreed to combine forces to stop the illegal trade of onions. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves has instructed the BIR to conduct tax compliance verification drive or tax mapping operations on onion importers and exporters. Teves also issued alert orders and seizure proceedings to the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Teves also said that the finance department will look into the possibility that some government officials might have a hand in these illicit operations. - GMANews.TV