By Anthony A. Araos
Not satisfied with damning onion farmers of not doing concrete actions to stop smuggling of onions from China, the officialdom is even supporting its importation. Not satisfied, there is a lack of understanding how “unscrupulous traders” added pains to said parties.
I bring this lamentable situation as onions from China and Taiwan continue to flood markets all over the country.
One may ask from what perspective has the government taken that they are unmoved by the predicament of onion farmers: is it from a perspective of an unsound policy or from the perspective of the inability to stand up against another bullying act of a Big State over a Small State.
For years, onion farmers have been neglected, understandably, as Department of Agriculture failed to meet their needs. Yes, their cruel ordeal serves a source of reminder that the country’s agriculture has been neglected. No wonder, many of them in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija and other places went into bankruptcy.
One would think so, but so far there has been no admission of failure by the officialdom even regarding the spike in onion prices. Any suggestion that poor Filipinos have the capacity to still buy a kilo of red onions at PHP 160 is greeting with derision. Even middle-class earner reacted in the same manner. White onions are still expensive. There is no better way to save: Just buy three or four pieces. Other than that, however, I was doing everything, I had been telling people better skip onion altogether at meal time. Big or small- onions are priced beyond reach. Folks are feeling the effects of rising inflation. Whether they are in Barangay Tupaya in Lagawe or Barangay Awayan in Aguinaldo, both in Ifugao.
For state bootlickers, the government could do little. This indicates that the government’s importation policy is inimical to the well-being of onion farmers. Why should Filipinos not hope for a better policy?
Well, there are solutions to this longstanding problem. The truth of the matter is there is a way to end the unabated smuggling and importation of owners.
All is not lost. For one, the government should invest in cold storage facilities. It is revolting that huge “confidential funds” were washed by a highly-placed official and funds for TUPAD, AKAP and AICS were used for political ends. Yet, funds for these vital facilities- to prevent spoilage are “unavailable.” If the government insists funds are “insufficient” for the provision of the same, it is the poor onion farmer who suffers because of these alibis.
A consequence of just spewing excuses solving these “structural constraints” (which I am sure that many to concur) are pushing more farmers into poverty, resulting in further inequality.
As might be expected, Filipinos should be on the lookout for lawmakers to take the lead in addressing these problems. Luckily, such concerns are articulated by Senator Francis Pangilinan. The question then arises, why him? He has remarkable training and experience (served as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization) and is undoubtedly pro-farmer. I look forward to hopefully seeing urgent actions from him. It will be very helpful listening to him.
Only then can we give the people an institution that value the welfare of farmers with seriousness and dignity they truly deserve. With this achieved, it would be more likely that they would work harder for increased yields in the years to come. The ultimate solution to the aforementioned woes is not at the doorstep of the 20th Congress.**
