Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said at least 17 monolithic dome cold storage facilities built in 2022 were substandard.

During his visit to Bukidnon, Laurel said he has not allowed the use of these facilities due to design flaws, even though they were completed several years ago.

He said these facilities were built under the previous DA administration.

Laurel added that the facilities cannot adequately cool vegetables and fruits.

“Hindi ko pina o-operate yun dahil sobrang palpak ang gumawa nun. It is for me a project of the old DA administration sobrang palpak,” Laurel said.

One of these unused facilities is located inside the compound of the Cagayan de Oro City Engineering Office in Barangay Kauswagan, which was completed in March 2022.

DA said each monolithic dome cold storage facility is estimated to have cost around P20 million.

The facilities were designed to help farmers extend the shelf life of their produce and sell at reasonable prices.

Laurel said that DA is still looking into possible solutions to make the facilities functional. However, he said repairs could cost even more.

“Malulugi lang ang mag o-operate nun. So, hindi ko pinababayaran ang contractor nun,” Laurel said.