AN organization of vegetables importers and exporters yesterday decried the smuggling of red onions following the failure of the Bureau of Plant Industry to issue Import Permits (IPs) and warned against the continuing rise in its price due to cartel that might reach over P250 per kilo by December.
Speaking to reporters in a media briefing, Lilibeth Palenzuela, president of the Philippime Vegetables Importers and Exporters Inc. (PVIEI), also disclosed the use of garlic IPs after 88 shipping containers were found abandoned at the Manila International Container Port.
While the shipment was declared as onions, the shipping containers were found to be containing garlic.
Padilla stressed the fact that BPI under then Director Clarito Barron stopped the issuance of IPs for red onions, it only means that red onions entering the country since then were smuggled.
She cautioned the possible surge in the cost of red onions due to the cartel being imposed by traders who are involved in smuggling and hoarding this agricultural produce.
She noted that the consumers would bear the burden this illegal activity of some traders who have been in cahoots with unscrupolous individuals from the bureau of Customs and BPI.
While imported red onions now sell at P140 per kilo, Palenzuela said it is likely that the price would shoot up to P250 or even more.
Palenzuela said this must stopped because the consuming public would bear the burden of the high cost of red onions.
According to Palenzuela, they failed to harvest red onions during the first week of April because they were ravaged by typhoon and pests last December 2015,
The Kilusan ng Mamimiling Pilioino Laban sa Kahirapan Inc. has also called on BPI OIC Director Vivencio Mamaril to resign due to his deliberate inaction to address their call for the release of IPs.
Despite their repeated appeal, PVIEI counsel Ariel Gawad said they have always been. informed by Mamaril they will study the matter.