Manila: Senator Francis Pangilinan announced that the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) decision to impose a PHP120 per kilo maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for red and white onions is a timely intervention aimed at balancing the interests of consumers and local producers during the holiday season. Pangilinan emphasized the importance of this measure in maintaining fairness in the market.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pangilinan expressed confidence that the DA had carefully set the price cap based on accurate assessments of supply conditions and stakeholder welfare. He stated, “We trust that the DA computed the MSRP with proper balance between production, importation, and the welfare of onion farmers and consumers.”

Pangilinan highlighted that some markets have reported prices reaching up to PHP200 per kilo, thus making the MSRP a necessary step to curb price spikes. The senator noted that this cap provides much-needed relief to consumers from soaring costs this Christmas season. He commented, “Thank you for imposing the MSRP. so consumers won’t end up in tears over prices this Christmas.”

The DA has implemented the MSRP starting December 1, in response to the continuous surge in retail prices despite low landed costs. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed the importance of the price cap taking effect ahead of the holiday season.

As per the DA-Bantay Presyo monitoring, imported medium red onions are currently selling for PHP250.63 per kilo, while medium white onions are priced at PHP142.53 per kilo in Metro Manila. Some markets have reported red onion prices reaching as high as PHP300 per kilo.