PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday led government officials in a ceremonial switch-on of the P500-million worth Bicol Mega Cold Storage Warehouse in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Also in attendance were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Camarines Sur Gov. Raymund Villafuerte.
The facility is the first completed project in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) cold storage expansion program, and part of the government’s initiatives to upgrade the country’s food logistics system under the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act.
It closes the gap between food production and consumption by combining storage with refrigerated transportation and enhanced logistics, allowing commodities to travel farther and last longer without compromising quality, said the Agriculture department.
The warehouse has a combined annual capacity exceeding 200,000 tons. It features temperature-controlled rooms for pork, beef, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, designed to maintain the quality of the produce from farm to market.
It also has preparation rooms for blast freezing, processing and packaging. These would allow food producers to extend the shelf life of commodities, meet market standards and command better prices.
“This facility underscores the commitment of the Marcos administration to cut postharvest losses, raise farmers’ income, stabilize food supply and ensure lasting rural development,” said Tiu Laurel.
The facility will serve not only suppliers in Bicol but also those from the Visayas and Mindanao.
“This is a game changer for Bicolandia, which has long played a key role in feeding the nation, whether directly through food production or as [a] corridor where agricultural products pass through,” said Villafuerte.
Its opening is crucial as the war in the Middle East has been causing fuel price hikes, the DA said.
High transport costs, fragmented supply chains and frequent typhoons have long plagued farmers in Bicol, the DA added, noting that without cold storage, many farmers are forced to sell their harvest at low prices, often suffering from losses.
More cold storage facilities will be built across the country to establish a stronger food chain network.
Marcos and Tiu Laurel also inspected a fruits and vegetables processing facility worth P290 million.