Res. No. 009-1-08

WHEREAS, the onion industry suffering from the effects of globalization made more severe by smuggling needs the help of all;

WHEREAS, fourteen (14) years ago, the industry slowly but surely became dependent on imports, while for the past forty (40) years have been self-sufficient, and actually exporting for twenty five (25) years before WTO;

WHEREAS, the sad plight is further affected by natural disasters like typhoons, earthquake, and climate change resulting in the slow death of the industry;

WHEREAS, in a historic turn of events, the NOGROCOMA the trail blazer cooperative again leads the industry in a revitalize mode by taking problems by the horn and talking to the onion distributors who are all party to this situation;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT HEREBY IS RESOLVED, that a sharing agreement with distributors-importers be initiated to revive the onion industry, in a spirit of fairness, cooperation and transparency;

THAT sharing shall not be limited to distributors but also to suppliers, lenders, transporters, labor-contributors and other players of the onion supply chain;

THAT a condonation and waiver of penalties on onion loans imposed by banks particularly Land Bank and Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation (QUEDANCOR) be done to ease the burden on onion farmers since RA 8178 removed all the protection of RA 1296 from 1998 to the present;

THAT diesel pumps and discounted diesel to be used by farmers in drawing water to support onion production be made available through cooperatives;

THAT a mechanism to import or make available low cost fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides to lower production cost be set up,

THAT packaging materials be made available at lower price;

THAT these are just some of the needs of the onion farmers that are being put forward to government for its action;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that all GOs and NGOs concerned with the entire onion industry be informed of this move and encourage them to support the initiative;

RESOLVED FURTHER that this move to retool and make the onion industry sustainable be called “BUHAYIN:  INDUSTRIYA NG SIBUYAS (BINS for short);

RESOLVED FURTHER, that diversification to indigenous vegetables be adopted and glamorizing indigenous vegetables (GIVE) are undertaken;

RESOLVED FINALLY, that the Department of Agriculture our partner in government, be also informed of this situation for the betterment of the lives of onion farmers to lower food cost for the benefit of our consumers;

THAT this move will revive an ailing industry and will contribute to the economic recovery of the affected farmers generating at least 100,000 jobs and may open the door for export in the near future;

THAT FINALLY, peace and order in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos, Mindoro and other onion growing areas can be achieved for economic benefits ensure prosperity and progress, and a better place for all of us;

THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the Philippines, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Honorable Secretary Arthur Yap, Senator Edgardo Angara, Congressman Abraham Mitra and other players of the onion industry, the Metro Manila Fresh Food Dealers Association, KASAMNE and UGAT for their information, action and guidance;

RESOLVED FURTHER that this resolution be also sent to the Municipality of Bongabon, Mayor Beth Gamilla and to the Municipal Council, Governor Aurelio Umali, Congresswoman Leonila V. Chavez, Congresswoman Cherry Umali and to the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Mindoro for their information and action.

Adopted this 26th day of September, 2008 during the Board Meeting held in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

DULCE I. GOZON
Chairman & CEO

REY A. ILAGAN
President

FE AMOR A. ILAGAN
Secretary-Treasurer

VICTOR A. ILAGAN
Vice President & General Manager

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