JV Ejercito: Onion price collapse threatens farmers, food security
March 26, 2026
JV Ejercito: Onion price collapse threatens farmers, food security
Senate Deputy Majorit Leader JV Ejercito stressed the urgent need to address systemic issues hounding the agriculture sector, warning that rising production costs and declining farm-gate prices reflect deep structural failures— that are pushing Filipino farmers into losses and putting the country’s food security at serious risk.
“Habang tayo ay nasa gitna ng state of national energy emergency, kasabay naman nito ang tahimik ngunit patuloy na problema sa ating sektor ng agrikultura,” Ejercito said during a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform on Thursday.
The lawmaker from San Juan stressed that the issue goes beyond market fluctuations and points to structural problems that must be immediately addressed.
Ejercito cited the sharp drop in farm-gate prices of onions in Nueva Ecija and other producing provinces, even as production costs continue to rise.
“Malinaw na may mali sa sistema. Tumataas ang gastos ng ating mga magsasaka—dahil sa langis, pataba, at transportasyon—ngunit ang kanilang kinikita ay patuloy na bumabagsak.”
He emphasized that the situation is no longer a simple issue of supply and demand. “This is no longer just a matter of price fluctuations. This is a failure of the system... Ito ay usapin ng kapabayaan.”
Ejercito also raised concern over the continued influx of imported onions, even during peak harvest season, which he said undermines local producers. He questioned the government’s importation strategy, warning that poorly timed imports worsen the situation.
“Excessive and poorly timed importation is not a solution—it is part of the problem. It displaces our farmers, distorts the market, and undermines our food security. Kung magpapatuloy ito, hindi na po krisis ang haharapin natin—kundi tuluyang pagbagsak ng lokal na produksyon.”
Beyond importation issues, the senator also raised alarm over persistent reports of smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering, stressing the need to enforce existing laws.
“Bilang may-akda ng Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, ipinasa natin ang batas na ito para sa proteksyon ng ating mga magsasaka, konsyumer at lokal na industriya,” he said.
“Habang ang magsasaka ay lugi, ang konsyumer ay pinapahirapan ng mataas na presyo. Ibig sabihin, may kumikita sa gitna—at hindi ito ang magsasaka. The widening gap between farm-gate and retail prices is not normal. It is a red flag. It points to manipulation, inefficiency, or worse—exploitation. Kaya hindi na sapat ang paliwanag. Panahon na para sa pananagutan.”
Ejercito reiterated that farmers remain the backbone of the nation and must not be neglected.
“Hindi po natin maaaring pabayaan ang ating mga magsasaka. Sila ang nagpapakain sa ating bayan—ngunit sila rin ang unang naaapektuhan kapag pumapalya ang sistema. If we fail them, we fail the nation.”
