SENATORS QUESTION DA AND PSA ON HIGH VOLUME OF ONION IMPORTS

Senators on Thursday questioned the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) over excessive onion importation, saying it is hurting Filipino farmers and distorting the market.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson highlighted discrepancies in production and consumption data that hinder government planning and accused importers of timing shipments to undercut local harvests.

Senators Francis Pangilinan and Joseph Victor Ejercito warned that continued imports during the harvest season, amid rising fuel and logistics costs, could worsen farmers’ income and threaten food security.

Lawmakers criticized the DA for poor communication with stakeholders, a lack of action on farmer losses, and insufficient budget allocations to address procurement and storage issues.

They called for accountability and structural reforms, saying the problem goes beyond price fluctuations and points to systemic neglect and exploitation.

Source: PhilNews24 | March 27, 2026