Hontiveros Calls for More Cold Storage Facilities in Mindoro, Meets with Onion Farmers

Senator Risa Hontiveros visited San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to meet with onion farmers and discuss the ongoing onion crisis and other agricultural challenges. Hontiveros emphasized the importance of supporting farmers, stating that this is key to fulfilling the country’s supply needs. She also emphasized the need to prioritize the well-being of farmers over the interests of traders or importers. She was joined by former Senator and Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

During the meeting, affected farmers in Mamburao and Bulalacao conveyed their concerns, including the shortage of cold storage facilities, which leads to harvest and revenue losses. The farmers stated that the price of onions should not fall below P100 per kilogram to recover their costs. Some of them sold their produce for as low as P8, making it difficult for them to earn a decent income.

Hontiveros called on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry to build new cold storage facilities in Mindoro, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos, and Pangasinan to address these losses and help farmers get higher prices for their produce. She also suggested that the country adopt the Indian practice of providing concessional financing for private sector-built cold storage facilities, prioritizing small farmers and stimulating investment in the early years, even if facility utilization may be low towards the end of the year.

Hontiveros also stressed the need for a microfinance program to support farmers without cash on hand to pay for cold storage facilities and prevent them from selling their produce at low prices.

“Kailangan ng mga pagbabago at reporma sa agrikultura upang hindi na ito maging dagdag-pasanin pa sa ating mga magsasaka at mamimili na nagkakasya na lang sa kakaunting puhunan at budget para buhayin ang pamilya,” Hontiveros said.