The P500-million Bicol Mega Cold Storage Warehouse in Camarines Sur (CamSur) that President Marcos opened in a recent ceremonial switch-on is a “gamechanger” facility that is now one of the country’s biggest post-harvest complexes and which promises to transform the province into a premier agro-industrial food hub, according to CamSur Governor LRay Villafuerte.
“This cold storage that Malacañan Palace and the DA (Department of Agriculture) built in tandem with our provincial government is a game changer complex that will enhance food security, generate jobs, spur agri-investments, and significantly boost farmers’ incomes in Bicol,” Villafuerte said.
“It will likewise benefit farmers and agri entrepreneurs in nearby regions and even of those from as far as the Visayas and Mindanao whose produce or harvests are bound for Metro Manila and other urban centers,” he added.
The warehouse boasts temperature-controlled rooms for storing beef, pork, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables, and which have a total annual capacity of 200,000 metric tons (MT).
Villafuerte cited the President and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. for this project that “will not only help extend the shelf life of farmers’ produce and reduce their spoilage or postharvest losses but will likewise help them explore new market opportunities, add value to their produce, raise their incomes and attract agro-industrial investments.”
Posting on Facebook, Villafuerte said: “This project will be the biggest in South Luzon. Isa itong malaking hakbang para gawing agri-industrial food hub ang CamSur.”
This facility is expected to benefit over 200,000 farmers and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao.
It is the first flagship project of the DA completed under its Cold Storage Expansion Program.
In a statement, Tiu Laurel said this project “directly addresses a chronic gap in agriculture, the lack of reliable and energy-efficient storage and transport systems.”
President Marcos led the ceremonial switch-on of this cold storage complex during his latest visit to CamSur where he also inspected a separate, nearby P290-million fruits and vegetables processing facility.
The President also inspected two solar-powered irrigation projects (SPIPs) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the towns of Minalabac and Bula, and held a dialogue with local farmers.
This facility is expected to benefit over 200,000 farmers and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Villafuerte said the opening of this post-harvest facility is timely, given the current transport and logistics challenges brought about by spiralling fuel prices as a result of the prolonged Middle East war.
Without adequate postharvest facilities, Villafuerte said that farmers and fisherfolk are forced to sell their produce even at low market prices just to avoid spoilage.
The warehouse boasts temperature-controlled rooms for storing beef, pork, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables, and which have a total annual capacity of 200,000 metric tons (MT).
Also, it has preparation rooms for blast freezing, processing, and packaging, such that rural folk will be able to extend the shelf life of their produce, thereby allowing them to secure better market prices for their goods.
As Tiu Laurel said, “This facility underscores the commitment of the Marcos administration to cut post-harvest losses, raise farmers’ incomes, stabilize food supply, and ensure lasting rural development.”
Interacting with farmers in Bula, the President assured them of continued government support for the agriculture and fisheries sector.
