Senator Imee Marcos criticized the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plan to import 4,000 metric tons of onions during the harvest season.
She questioned the timing of the importation, warning that it would cause prices to drop and hurt local farmers.
“Our farmers have already started harvesting, yet here comes another round of importation. Haven’t we learned our lesson? Every harvest season, prices drop,” she said.
She argued that importation has historically led to oversupply and financial losses for local producers.
The senator also blamed hoarding as a major factor behind price spikes in previous years. She urged the government to crack down on cold storage hoarders instead of relying on imports to stabilize prices.
According to the DA, the imports include 3,000 metric tons of red onions and 1,000 metric tons of white onions. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. justified the move, saying it aims to maintain stable stocks and prevent sudden price hikes.