The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has refuted claims regarding the influx of smuggled onions in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, dismissing concerns over market saturation and declining prices. Arnold dela Cruz Jr., head of BPI Region 10, highlighted that current wholesale rates for both local and imported onions do not support these allegations.
Dela Cruz further referenced a BPI report documenting the arrival of 307.1 tons of local red onion and 17.6 tons of imported white onion in January, with an additional 302.8 tons of local red onion received in February.
These shipments, sourced from regions such as Manila, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, and Nueva Ecija, underscore the legal and regulated nature of onion supply in the area. In response to smuggling concerns, the BPI has engaged with the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Customs to ensure the integrity of onion imports in Misamis Oriental.
Source: philstar.com