Smuggled onions seized by Dept. of Agriculture; Netizens cry over skyrocketing prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) personnel seized P88 million worth of smuggled onions allegedly from China in separate operations conducted on Monday, December 19.

The smuggled red and white onions were found concealed behind boxes of dimsum buns or siopao in a container van inspected by the DA at the Manila International Container Port.

In separate operations on December 14 and 19, eight container vans containing illegal onions and frozen goods were seized.

Based on information gathered by the DA, the onions are from China.

According to agency officials, a case of violation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and Food Safety Act is being prepared against the alleged smugglers.

“We have to stop the agricultural smuggling because of primarily food safety. Kaya ho kami makikipag-coordinate ngayon sa DOJ [Department of Justice] with Secretary Remulla to create a legal team, a legal task force that will really investigate itong buong network na ito,” DA Assistant Secretary James Layug said.

In the DA’s latest price monitoring on Monday, red onions are selling for as high as P380 per kilo in markets in Metro Manila.

Some stores in Quezon City Memorial Circle do not sell red onions but white onions can be bought for P400 per kilo.

The DA has assured that there will be enough supply of red onion this Christmas.

The exorbitant price of onions continues to be a hot-button topic on Twitter, with many netizens expressing disbelief that onions are now more expensive than most meats.

At the annual UP Lantern Parade, a float displaying a larger-than-life lantern in the shape of an onion caught the onlookers’ attention. The float, assembled by the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy UP Diliman (CONTEND UP), is inspired by the “sibuyas” insult hurled at the supporters of Atty. Leni Robredo in the 2022 national elections. It also called on the government to raise the national minimum wage in light of the rising prices of basic commodities.