Senator Cynthia Villar on Monday scolded Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) President Robert Tan after the latter stated that he was on depart when the government-owned and managed company purchased onions which might be offered in Kadiwa shops at P537 per kilogram.
During a Senate listening to on the hovering costs of onions out there, Villar questioned the FTI’s procurement of onions at a value increased than what farmers have been providing – round P200 per kilogram.
Tan defined that there was a gathering final December 20 to debate stabilize onion costs in addition to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s undertaking that will have Kadiwa shops promote onions at P170 per kilo.
During the assembly, Tan stated no value vary was mentioned and so they have been solely instructed that P14 million can be downloaded to them.
However, Tan stated, “Kasi po naka-leave ako.”
Because he can be on depart, Tan requested the FTI vp and the authorized officer to attend the assembly.
“Wala akong alam d’yan sa selection, sa quotation na yan,” he added.
At this level, Villar chided the FTI official.
“Sasabihan mong ganyan na nag-leave ka, hindi ka pumirma? ‘Wag mo kaming sasabihan ng ganyan hindi logical ‘yan,” she stated.
“Diyos ko naman lumang istorya na ‘yon. Hindi naman kami ganoon kabobo… Accept the responsibility that you bought P500 when there are available na P200 something,” she added.
She additionally questioned the FTI’s determination to purchase onions at a value that was nearly the identical within the markets when the procurement intends to supply cheaper produce to the general public.
“Para kang bumili sa market eh subsidy ‘yan. Hindi ka bibili ng market price. Ba’t mo ide-declare sa amin na P500 plus ang bili mo e ‘yun ang market price it should be lower than that,” she stated.
“Eh di sana kung P500 plus, wag ka na bumili ganon na sa market e. Kaya ka pinabibili para magmura sa market, di ba? Ang government parang siya ang bibili para magmura sa market. Eh kung bibilhin mo rin ng ganon kamahal e what will be your service to the market? ‘Wag na lang tayo kumain ng onion. Ako hindi na ako nakain ng onion e,” Villa quipped.
Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo requested if Tan had initiated a parallel investigation when he returned to work after his depart.
Tan stated he had ordered an investigation, however he couldn’t talk about this with the Senate panel because the Office of the Ombudsman had launched its probe.
Last week, the Ombudsman stated it could investigate the Department of Agriculture and the FTI over its procurement of onions value P537 per kilo from the Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative.
Officials can be made to clarify the reasoning behind the procurement of onions at such a value when the identical onions have been offered at Kadiwa shops for P170 per kilo.
Tan stated the Ombudsman had requested him to reply these questions and he already responded based mostly on his data of the matter. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
