The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to build a Bukidnon Food Hub, a one-stop agricultural facility in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the P1.97 billion project together with representative of the provincial governments of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.

The facility will include cold storage units, dryers and dehydrators for vegetable products, a corn processing center, an ice plant, and a dressing plant.

“Lalagyan po natin ito ng central laboratory for animals, fishes para sa isda at hayop at mga halaman at ang ibebenta dito ng mga farmers magkakaroon ng pwesto ang farmer cooperatives para sila na deretso magbenta ng kanilang mga produkto,” Laurel said.

The facility will also serve as a consolidation hub for high-value crops from Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao area.

Bukidnon officials welcomed the project, especially that the province lacks agricultural facilities.

“This program aims to transform our food system by building modern, efficient and farmer centered hubs that will strengthen the entire value chain kay mao gyud ni importante sa farmer kay kung mag salig rata sa halin sa raw alkansi barato sa tanan,” Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Niel Roque, said.

The project is scheduled to be completed before the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ends.

“This is one of the legacy project na gusto naming mag operate before 2028 kaya sa bilis ng implementasyon nito wala ng mag iisip ng kalokohan,” Laurel added.

A similar agricultural hub will also be constructed in Claveria, Misamis Oriental in 2026 for high-value crops such as potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes, which are abundant in the province.

“Naa natay area, naa tay warehouse ang kulang lang gyud nato machine mao na ilang ihatag sa ato na pledge na si Secretary sa ato,” Misamis Oriental Governor Juliette Uy said.