THE House Committee on Agriculture and Food conducted a motu proprio inquiry on Wednesday on the possible hoarding and price manipulation of vegetables particularly, onion and garlic.
Committee Chairperson and Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, who presided over the meeting, said the inquiry seeks to determine the root cause of the spike in the prices of onion and other agricultural commodities.
Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe urged the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to monitor local agricultural products and not just imported goods. “Dun pa lang sa data ng supply, marami ng pwedeng mag-take advantage. But there should be an agency and I believe BPI should know this,” adding that BPI data should be accurate, “How can you guide people on making the right decisions kung mali ‘yong datos na binibigay niyo?”
Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo and SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta also observed the discrepancy in the BPI’s data on sufficiency level of agricultural commodities.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Ria Vergara proposed that the panel conduct an executive session, “so we can really understand how alleged smugglers or hoarders operate without the cooperation of people in government that are supposed to be protecting the consumer.”
Quezon Rep. David Suarez asked that an oversight assessment of the BPI’s performance be conducted. The panel also required the physical presence of invited resource persons in the succeeding hearings.
metrosundaily
