MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to intensify anti-agricultural smuggling operations as the country approaches the onion harvest season, warning that illegal imports could undermine local farmers and distort market prices.

Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said the influx of smuggled onions during harvest periods has historically resulted in depressed farmgate prices, leading to significant losses for Filipino onion growers.

He also raised concerns over possible hoarding activities and market manipulation that cause massive price hikes and profits that hurt consumers.

“Bilang nalalapit na ang harvest season ng sibuyas, dapat nating tiyakin na protektado ang ating mga magsasaka laban sa hindi patas na kompetisyon sa mga imported at smuggled na sibuyas. Kasabay rin dito ang posibleng pagiimbak ng mga sibuyas ng mga onion cartels para patuloy na manipula ang presyo ng sibuyas,” Pangilinan said.

“The illegal entry of agricultural produce at this critical time defeats the purpose of supporting local agricultural production and jeopardizes the livelihood of our farmers,” he added.

The senator emphasized the need for strict monitoring at ports of entry and close coordination among concerned agencies to prevent smuggled agricultural products from entering local markets.

His warning came as the onion harvest season is set to begin from February to May, a period when illegal importers time illicit shipments to flood the market, causing prices to crash and harming local producers.

In May this year, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. personally led the inspection of two container vans carrying an estimated 34 metric tons of smuggled white onions from China, with a market value of approximately P4.1 million.

The smuggled onions tested positive for heavy metals and salmonella based on tests conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry’s Plant Products Safety Services Division and the National Plant Quarantine Services Division.

Last June, the DA and the BOC also intercepted 25 metric tons of illegally imported red onions from China at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental.

Pangilinan urged the DA to closely monitor supply and demand conditions and avoid issuing unnecessary import permits that could coincide with peak harvest periods.

He also appealed to the BOC to intensify inspection and enforcement efforts, particularly against syndicates that exploit seasonal demand to smuggle agricultural goods.

“Strengthening border controls and ensuring transparency in importation policies are essential to stabilizing prices for consumers while safeguarding the income of local farmers,” he said, adding that accountability and effective enforcement of anti-smuggling laws benefit farmers, ensure national food security, and protect government revenues.

The senator has been leading Senate hearings on agricultural smuggling, pointing to the roles of big-time Chinese syndicates and their local counterparts in bringing in multi-million-peso worth of smuggled agricultural products.