Onion, garlic growers seek Aquino’s help

MANILA, Philippines - Because of the failure of authorities to stop the smuggling of onions and garlic in the country, onion and garlic growers have opted to approach President Aquino to ask him to help them stop the alleged “perversion” of some officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a recent meeting called by Sibuyas ng Pilipino Ating Alagaan (SIPAG) president Francisco Collado, more than 100 farmers and onion growers asked Aquino to stop the DA from allegedly issuing an import permit to a group.

Collado said local markets are being flooded by low-priced onions and garlic from China, Vietnam and nearby countries, thus killing the livelihood of local growers.

The farmers said they have raised the problem to DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, but he has allegedly failed to act on it.