Charles Teves
The Department of Agriculture is warning consumers not to purchase onions at the current high prices, which are over three times the suggested retail price.
According to an interview with DA spokesperson Rex Estoperez, large onions are currently selling for P550 per kilogram in some markets in Metro Manila. In contrast, smaller onions are priced at P440 per kilogram. The suggested retail price for onions is only P170 per kilogram, with farmgate prices around P300 per kilogram.
“To be reasonable on that and practical — pero mukhang maraming magagalit sa ‘kin — e ‘di ‘wag tayong bumili ng isang kilo, di ba? Kung ano lang ang makakaya nating bilhin, ayun muna,” Estoperez said.
In October, the Department of Agriculture set the suggested retail price for red onions at P170 per kilogram in wet markets in the National Capital Region. This was in response to rising agricultural commodity prices. However, according to a report by GMA News, the price of red onions at the Las Piñas Public Market rose to P720 per kilogram on Wednesday, up from P600 the previous day.
Estoperez was slammed by netizens for not sounding smart with his remarks.
Hindi yata naiintindihan ni Estoperez na hindi ang presyo ng sibuyas ang totoong problema. Ang problema ay yung supply. Kaya mataas ang presyo kasi halos walang mabii. Buti kung may mabili ka pag 1/4 kilo e. Ito ba ang mga nagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan???
— Jojo Clemente (@jclem3) December 29, 2022
And while you’re at it Mr Estoperez, tell everyone not to use onions anymore. Yeah, ganyan kayo sa estupidong gobyernong ito. It’s always the citizenry that need to adjust sa inyong katangahan! pic.twitter.com/pL852mBN4o
— DAVAOMIGRANT (@nabunturanguy) December 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/LucasImperial5/status/1608425751333986305?s=20
UTAK MOMO KA, REX ESTOPEREZ. Sayang pasweldo sa katulad mo. Wala ngang MAGANDANG MANGYAYARI sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas Kung ganyan kayo mag-isip! JUST SHUT UP! pic.twitter.com/aezg93WcC3
— Da Celestine (@Celestine_DKila) December 29, 2022
Suggested translation dahil mataas din ang presyo ng karneng baboy, manok, isda, gulay, bigas etc……
‘Kung mahal ang presyo ng pagkain huwag tayo bumili ng marami. Kung ano lang ang makakaya natin bilhin, ayun na muna’ pic.twitter.com/4YRl2YKUiQ
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) December 29, 2022
my gahd https://t.co/CXWvTrNbgI
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) December 29, 2022
Nananawagan po kami sa pamilyang Estoperez. Nagkakalat po ang haligi ng tahanan niyo. https://t.co/cxO503LgfK
— Mac (@Benggadora08) December 29, 2022
Vendors attribute the price increase to the cost of purchasing onions from their suppliers at P680 per kilogram. In addition, they attribute the price increase to additional expenses such as market parking fees and shipping charges. Some vendors have warned that prices may continue to rise in the coming days. Estoperez has said that it will assess the need for importing onions early next year if the supply does not return to normal by then. This is despite previous statements that such imports would not be necessary due to expected harvests in January and February.
Estoperez previously stated that the Department of Agriculture would consider various interventions for the commodity. These interventions include providing credit to farmers and assisting them with logistics, transportation, cold storage, and packaging.
