SMUGGLED ONIONS. Some 71,551 kilos of confiscated smuggled onions are buried at the research center of the Department of Agriculture in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga City on Saturday (Feb. 4, 2023). The smuggled onions were seized by authorities in separate anti-smuggling operations last Jan. 22, 23, and 25. (Photo lifted from Pinpin Parehja FB page) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some 71,551 kilos of smuggled onions were buried Saturday at the Department of Agriculture Research Center compound in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan here. Dr. Floralie Yeo Floriano, Bureau of Plant and Industry Quarantine Officer, said the onions pose a risk to consumers since they have no phytosanitary permit from the port of origin. The onions came from India and were sold to a business firm in Malaysia. Authorities seized the onions when they were shipped by smugglers to Zamboanga City via the province of Tawi-Tawi. "There was no directive from our central office that it can be donated. So au
While consumers continue to suffer from high prices of onions in local markets due to alleged lack of supply, the government just disposed of over 71,000 kilos of its "smuggled" counterparts in Zamboanga City.
SMUGGLED ONIONS. Some 71,551 kilos of confiscated smuggled onions are buried at the research center of the Department of Agriculture in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga City on Saturday (Feb. 4, 2023). The smuggled onions were seized by authorities in separate anti-smuggling operations last Jan. 22, 23, and 25. (Photo lifted from Pinpin Parehja FB page) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some 71,551 kilos of smuggled onions were buried Saturday at the Department of Agriculture Research Center compound in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan here. Dr. Floralie Yeo Floriano, Bureau of Plant and Industry Quarantine Officer, said the onions pose a risk to consumers since they have no phytosanitary permit from the port of origin. The onions came from India and were sold to a business firm in Malaysia. Authorities seized the onions when they were shipped by smugglers to Zamboanga City via the province of Tawi-Tawi. "There was no directive from our central office that it can be donated. So au
City Hall of Zamboanga(PNA file photo) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The City Health Office (CHO) here is reopening one of its isolation facilities as the active cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continue to increase. Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, said Saturday that the 130-bed capacity sole isolation facility in operation in Barangay Pasonanca is now at critical risk level due to the surge of active cases. "We only have 16 beds that are vacant," Miravite said in a statement. There are currently 104 patients at the Pasonanca isolation facility. Miravite said they also can use the 288-bed mega isolation facility in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan, but prefer to reopen the 40-bed facility in Barangay Cabatangan since it is nearer the city proper. CHO data on Saturday showed there are 393 active cases of Covid-19. Of the total, 363 were acquired through community transmission, 17 were authorized persons outside residence, 11 were detainees, and two were returni