Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement James Layug reported that the DA has seized about P500 million worth of smuggled agricultural products in the previous months.
THE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Customs and Department of Agriculture seized over 1,000 bags of smuggled onion from a warehouse in Tondo, Manila.
On Friday evening, authorities raided the storage facility on Sto. Cristo Street, said BPI Project assistant and team leader Melvin Banagbanag, they had been monitoring the unit for a month.
“Iwasan natin bumili ng white onion kasi wala ito phytosanitary permit. Bawal na po bumili,” he warned.
“Bago pumasok ng Pilipinas, lahat ng importer kailangan kumuha ng phytosanitary permit at saka importation permit. ‘Pag wala, automatic smuggled na po iyon.”
Banagbanag warned that while it is tempting to buy white onions since they are cheaper, consuming the said produce is a potential health risk.
“Kapag walang phytosanitary permit, hindi po siya safe kainin. [Baka] meron siya chemicals na nakahalo,” he said.
“Illegal is mura kumpara sa local, kaya hinuhuli natin walang permit para matulungan famers natin at makabenta,” said Banagbanag.
“Ito ay para makatulong sa local farmers. Kung mag-import nang mag-import, sayang ang pino-produce ng local farmers,” he added.
The operation team lead said the seized onions were possibly being hoarded to manipulate the market price.
“‘Yung mga nag-smuggle, kung kailan kailangan ng tao, dun sila maglabas. Ngayong magpa-Pasko, kailangan ng sibuyas para sa mga handa. So tina-timing nila,” Banagbanag said.
The confiscated vegetables were brought to the BPI warehouse.
metrosundaily
