By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the reported proliferation of smuggled onions and other possible agricultural products being sold online.
Lee filed House Resolution No. 1600, stressing that “there is a need to take decisive action and measures from the government to protect our consumers as well as the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk amid the online selling of smuggled onions.”
“May mga nagreklamo na po sa atin na local onion farmers na nalulugi na sila dahil sa mababang farmgate price ng kanilang produkto. Nangangamba sila na lalong hindi mabebenta ang kanilang ani dahil sa nabibiling murang smuggled na sibuyas online,” the solon said.
“Sa kabilang banda, meron na ring nagreklamo sa atin na nakabili online, at yung dumating sa kanila ay hindi maganda ang kalidad, yung iba ay nabubulok na. Hindi naman nila maisoli. DA (Department of Agriculture) na rin ang nagreport na may mga nakumpiska silang smuggled onions noon na may E. coli. ‘Pag smuggled kasi, hindi po ito dumaaan sa phytosanitary tests o mga pagsusuri.”
“Pero hindi po natin masisisi ang mga kababayan natin na bumibili pa rin ng mga produkto kahit may health risk dahil mas nakakamura sila. Yung matitipid nila ay dagdag na ring pambili sa ipa bang pangangailangan o panggastos ‘pag nagkasakit,” Lee added.
The lawmaker has urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other relevant government agencies to implement more stringent measures to curb the sale of illegally sourced agricultural products online.
(el Amigo/MNM)
