P500-million cold storage facility to open in CamSur in December

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to open a P500-million cold storage facility in Camarines Sur in December, which is set to be able to store over 1,300 tons, serving the province and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

According to the DA, the cold storage facility will have six refrigerated warehouses, each with a storage capacity of an estimated 224 tons, also catering to those passing through the province on their way to Metro Manila and other major markets.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the facility—which will feature a solar power system, a blast freezer, and a processing and packing area—will be able to store a range of agricultural commodities such as vegetables, meat, chicken, and fish.

“This is a great step forward in empowering our farmers. It will allow them to preserve their harvest longer, reduce spoilage, and access new markets,” he said in an emailed statement.

The DA in January said it has allocated P3 billion for the establishment of 99 cold storage facilities across the country,  in a bid to reduce spoilage and wastage of fruits, vegetables, and high-value crops. Construction is targeted to start this year, and take around 18 to 22 months after contracts are awarded.

The agency earlier said its cold storage project is part of a comprehensive logistics master plan which also includes a robust road network, agricultural seaports, and an integrated cold chain network to streamline the distribution of agricultural products in the country. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News