Last Wednesday, senator Risa Hontiveros raised alarm over the impending importation by the Department of Agriculture (DA) of almost 22,000 tons of onions, urging its officials to wait for the turnout of local harvests next week before making a decision. If the yield is good like last year, we may not need to import 22,000 metric tons of onions,” she said. Agriculture Deputy Spokesman Rex Estoperez said that it was the decision of the agency to stop selling highly subsidized onions at the Kadiwa outlets. Estoperez said that farmers are welcome to sell onions at the Kadiwa stores, but the DA will no longer provide support. "If farmers can sell onions at the Kadiwa they are welcome but the P1 70 being subsidized is over."

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 13, 2023 19:16 UTC