MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called for stronger measures to protect local farmers after inspecting 26 twenty-foot containers carrying an estimated ₱86 million worth of imported red onions at the Manila International Container Port.

Pangilinan joined officials from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Customs, and Bureau of Plant Industry in examining the shipment, which authorities said had been declared abandoned after importers failed to claim the goods and settle the required duties and taxes.

“Habang nabubulok ang sibuyas ng ating mga magsasaka, ito namang imported onions ay nabulok din matapos maiwan at hindi ma-claim. Kung ganito ang nangyayari, kailangan nating tanungin kung bakit may pumapasok pang ganitong kalaking volume ng imported onions sa kabila ng sapat na lokal na suplay,” Pangilinan said.

The senator said the incident reflects concerns raised by onion growers in Nueva Ecija, who have questioned the continued entry of imported onions despite what they described as sufficient domestic supply.

“Kung lehitimo ang shipment na ito, bakit iniwan na lamang at hindi na-claim? Bakit hindi binayaran ang kaukulang buwis at mga bayarin? Dapat masagot ito upang mapanagot ang mga nasa likod nito at maprotektahan ang ating mga magsasaka,” Pangilinan said.

According to Pangilinan, the seizure supports issues raised during a public hearing he convened in Nueva Ecija on March 26, 2026 under Senate Resolution No. 344. The hearing examined the decline in onion farm-gate prices and the continued arrival of imported onions despite an oversupply in the local market.

“Bakit tayo mag-iimport kung marami ngang supply dito sa atin? Ito ang tanong na paulit-ulit na lumabas sa ating public hearing. Ang pagpasok ng imported onions sa panahon ng oversupply ay lalo lamang nagpapabagsak sa presyo at nagpapahirap sa ating mga magsasaka,” he added.

Authorities said the shipments arrived between Dec. 13, 2025 and Jan. 23, 2026. The containers were later classified as abandoned under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act after importers failed to claim the goods within the prescribed period.

A subsequent inspection found what authorities described as ₱86 million worth of smuggled red onions from China.

Pangilinan, who was re-elected as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, said he would continue pushing for policies aimed at protecting local farmers.

“Hindi dapat nabubulok ang sibuyas ng ating mga magsasaka, at hindi rin dapat nasasayang ang mga produktong pumapasok sa bansa. Ang kailangan natin ay maayos na pamamahala ng suplay, mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng batas, at mga polisiyang inuuna ang kapakanan ng ating mga magsasaka,” Pangilinan said.