Lawmakers seek creation of 'onion fund' | ABS-CBN
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Lawmakers seek creation of 'onion fund'
Lawmakers seek creation of 'onion fund'
RG Cruz,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 16, 2023 07:03 PM PHT

MANILA -- Three senior lawmakers at the House of Representatives have filed a bill seeking the creation of an "Onion Competitiveness Enhancement Fund" following the congressional investigation into the alleged cartel in the local onion industry.
MANILA -- Three senior lawmakers at the House of Representatives have filed a bill seeking the creation of an "Onion Competitiveness Enhancement Fund" following the congressional investigation into the alleged cartel in the local onion industry.
House Bill 8462 or the proposed Onion Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Act was filed by House Committee on Agriculture and Food chair Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, House Appropriations Committee chair AKO Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo.
House Bill 8462 or the proposed Onion Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Act was filed by House Committee on Agriculture and Food chair Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, House Appropriations Committee chair AKO Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo.
In their explanatory note, the lawmakers cited the high prices of onions in the country.
In their explanatory note, the lawmakers cited the high prices of onions in the country.
“In December of 2022, the retail prices of onions in the Philippines peaked at P500 to P800 per kilo, costing even more than meat. This put the country on the map with the 'most expensive' onions in the world," they said.
“In December of 2022, the retail prices of onions in the Philippines peaked at P500 to P800 per kilo, costing even more than meat. This put the country on the map with the 'most expensive' onions in the world," they said.
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While they conceded that an enhanced anti-cartel enforcement is the long-term solution to the high prices of onions, they said that short-term interventions are necessary, including the importation of onions.
While they conceded that an enhanced anti-cartel enforcement is the long-term solution to the high prices of onions, they said that short-term interventions are necessary, including the importation of onions.
The lawmakers added that onion farmers will benefit entirely from the tariff revenues so they are proposing the Onion Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to support local farmers and boost their production efficiency.
The lawmakers added that onion farmers will benefit entirely from the tariff revenues so they are proposing the Onion Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to support local farmers and boost their production efficiency.
“To help the onion industry compete globally, the State shall seek to raise farm productivity levels by providing the necessary support services such as, but not limited to, irrigation, farm-to-market roads, post-harvest equipment and cold storage facilities, credit, research and development, extension services, other market infrastructure and market information," the bill stated.
“To help the onion industry compete globally, the State shall seek to raise farm productivity levels by providing the necessary support services such as, but not limited to, irrigation, farm-to-market roads, post-harvest equipment and cold storage facilities, credit, research and development, extension services, other market infrastructure and market information," the bill stated.
Under the bill, the entire proceeds from tariff revenues from the import of onions shall be set aside and earmarked by Congress for development and support programs to the benefit of Philippine onion farmers and the country's onion industry.
Under the bill, the entire proceeds from tariff revenues from the import of onions shall be set aside and earmarked by Congress for development and support programs to the benefit of Philippine onion farmers and the country's onion industry.
These include support for onion farming inputs and equipment, production technology, farm gate price support, credit, crop protection, storage and cold storage facilities, extension services, market information dissemination and other forms of assistance.
These include support for onion farming inputs and equipment, production technology, farm gate price support, credit, crop protection, storage and cold storage facilities, extension services, market information dissemination and other forms of assistance.
The bill is pending before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.
The bill is pending before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.
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