The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have foiled attempts to smuggle into the country onions estimated at P30 million.
In a statement, the DA said some 100,000 kilos of yellow onions declared as bread pastries were discovered on Nov. 29 as the government continues to look into the perceived shortage of onions in the country.
The DA monitoring has established that the price of red onions has peaked to P300 a kilo.
Nevertheless, the DA said supply of the onions appeared sufficient.
Import documents indicated that the shipment “did not undergo any food safety regulations,” the DA said.
“Smuggled agriculture products pose danger to the local agri-fisheries sector because “cargoes may be carriers of transboundary diseases,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary James Layug said.
Authorities from the agriculture department will recommend the filing of charges to the Bureau of Customs.
The DA however has yet to decide on whether or not to import red and white onions, pending the recommendation of the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Meanwhile, over a thousand bags of white onion were seized by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Customs, and Department of Agriculture from a warehouse in Tondo, Manila on Friday evening.
Authorities raided the storage facility on Sto. Cristo Street past 7 p.m.
According to BPI Project assistant and team leader Melvin Banagbanag, they had been monitoring the unit for a month.
“Iwasan natin bumili ng white onion kasi wala ito phytosanitary permit. Bawal na po bumili,” he said.
“Bago pumasok ng Pilipinas, lahat ng importer kailangan kumuha ng phytosanitary permit at saka importation permit. ‘Pag wala, automatic smuggled na po iyon.”
Over two tons of white onions were also seized in Zamboanga City
This developed as farmers urged the government to use local red onions first before importing white onions
Banagbanag warned that while it is tempting to buy white onions since they are cheaper, consuming the product could be a potential health risk.
“Kapag walang phytosanitary permit, hindi po siya safe kainin. Baka meron siya chemicals na nakahalo,” he said.
Buying smuggled goods also aggravates the plight of Filipino farmers.
“Illegal is mura kumpara sa local, kaya hinuhuli natin walang permit para matulungan famers natin at makabenta,” said Banagbanag.
“Ito ay para makatulong sa local farmers. Kung mag-import nang mag-import, sayang ang pino-produce ng local farmers,” he added.
The operation team lead said the seized onions were possibly being hoarded to manipulate the market price.
“’Yung mga nag-smuggle, kung kailan kailangan ng tao, dun sila maglabas. Ngayong magpa-Pasko, kailangan ng sibuyas para sa mga handa. So tina-timing nila,” Banagbanag said.
The confiscated vegetables were brought to the BPI warehouse.
Meanwhile, some 100 bags of onions, which were being sold in plain sight, were also confiscated in the nearby market.
Import documents also showed that the shipment “did not undergo any food safety regulations,” the statement said.
Authorities from the agriculture department will recommend the filing of charges to the Bureau of Customs.
PH’s red onions supply seems ‘sufficient’ but DA looking into shortage.
Prices per kilogram of red onions soared to P300 in some wet markets this week, even as the country’s supply seemed “sufficient,” based on the DA’s monitoring.
The agriculture department has yet to decide on whether or not to import red and white onions, pending the recommendation of the Bureau of Plant Industry.