QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- House Speaker Martin Romualdez warned against exploitative business persons and onion and garlic hoarders who are allegedly behind the constant increase in the price of said products.

According to Romualdez, this can be considered an economic sabotage so someone should be charged and held accountable.

"Your days are numbered!..We have information that they are hiding onions, and now also garlic to reduce the supply and increase their prices," said Romualdez.

Romualdez said, the continued high price of onions in the markets despite the harvest of local onion farmers and the entry of imports is a big question.

In this regard, the Congress leader will instruct the House Committee on Agriculture to initiate an investigation and if necessary recommend the filing of competent charges against hoarders and exploitative traders.

Romualdez insisted that they may recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos the importation of onions and garlic to force businessmen to release their stocks and lower the price, which will be a great relief to consumers.

However, they will still study the importation so as not to affect local farmers. This includes the amount to be imported and during the period when the local onion and garlic farmers do not have a harvest that will not affect their livelihood.

Romualdez also plans to monitor the price of such vegetables every day.

Meanwhile, Romualdez also said that the smuggling of onions and other similar agricultural products in the country should also be stopped which is killing the local industry. (PIA-NCR)