MANILA, March 15 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday assured of sustained stringent monitoring amid an armyworm infestation in some onion plantations in the country, and will closely monitor the peak harvest for onions from March to April.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa issued the statement during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing in view of the request of the Philippines Chamber of Food and Agriculture Inc. (PCAFI) to import onions by May, as El Nino worsened the effects of infestation.

"At this time, siguro titingnan muna natin iyong kabuuan ng harvest season bago magkaroon ng rekomendasyon na pag-i-import sa ating Kalihim (maybe we should look on the overall harvest season first before having a re...