The Bureau of Customs inspected 26 container vans of abandoned imported fresh red onions from China at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) alongside Kiko Pangilinan amid concerns over alleged over-importation.
According to Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, the shipment is valued at around ₱86.7 million. While the consignee has yet to be identified publicly, authorities revealed that only more than ₱574,000 out of the required ₱9.64 million in duties and taxes has been paid.
Nepomuceno clarified that the shipment carried the necessary permits and documents, but investigators are looking into possible “over importation” violations. The consignee may face charges for violating Paragraphs C and D, Section 1129 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
During the inspection, Pangilinan criticized government agencies over inaccurate agricultural data, warning the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Statistics Authority, and Bureau of Plant Industry that he may oppose their proposed 2027 budget if data monitoring is not improved.
“Sa DA at sa PSA, yung BPI ayusin niyo ang inyong mga datos para maiwasan itong over importation na siyang pumapatay sa mga magsasaka at magsisibuyas sa ating mga farmers,” Pangilinan said.
He stressed the need for better monitoring of local supply and importation to prevent excessive imports that could hurt Filipino onion farmers. Pangilinan added that the situation appeared to stem from the release of too many permits for onion imports from foreign countries.
“Hindi dapat excuse na lang ‘yun. Dapat may better way of monitoring our supply so that we can manage our importation… Over-importation. Sobrang-sobrang na-release na permit para magpasok ng supply ng sibuyas na galing sa ibang bansa,” he added.
