THE supply of onions is expected to increase by Sept. 19, or two weeks after the Bureau of Customs (BoC) announced the lifting of the special safeguard (SSG) measures on imports, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said.
He noted that the BoC circular was issued on Sept. 3 and its effects will be felt in the market by Sept. 19.
”By Sept. 20, I will go around Metro Manila and if I find that prices have not fallen, I will restore the SSG.,,” Mr. Piñol told reporters in a chance interview at the Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Piñol said that he was able to convince onion traders to buy from Philippine farmers and assist them in bringing their produce to the market.
“It was agreed after allowing importation of 49,000 metric tons red onion, we will suspend the release of import documents covering another 40,000 MT. We were able to convince the importers to assist the farmers by buying their produce,” Mr. Piñol said.
Mr. Piñol added that there is an executive order on barter trading to be set up in Tawi-Tawi, which is currently being reviewed by the Department of Justice. — Reicelene Joy N. Domingo
