President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Monday defended the decision of the agriculture department to import onions, saying that the country had no choice as the local supply is insufficient.
In a chance interview with reporters, upon his arrival in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), he said there is a huge gap between the local production of onion and the demand.
"May nagsasabi na ang onion, hindi kailangan mag-import . Papaano naman hindi natin kailangan mag-import? Tingnan mo 'yung production ng Pilipinas, tingnan mo 'yung demand. Malayo talaga," he said.
Marcos, who is the concurrent agriculture chief, approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons (MT) of fresh yellow and red onions last January 10.
According to the issuance, the importation move will “address the supply gap prior to peak harvest in 2023” and “stabilize the continuous increase in the price of fresh onions in the market.”
The President said the government has already tried to seize all the smuggled onions but these are not enough.
"Hindi rin natin nakuha 'yung smuggles, talagang we are forced to import. So, that's what we are doing," he added.
As per the sugar, Marcos said the government is also forced to import.
But he assured that they will maintain a two-month buffer stock in order to avoid shortage.
"From now on, a two month buffer stock para hindi na magkaroon ng speculation sa presyo ng sugar," he added.
