Almost 100 new cold storage facilities eyed by DA

Metro Manila, Philippines - Almost 100 cold storage facilities are planned to be constructed beginning this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday, Jan. 26.

P3 billion has been allotted for the cold storage facilities which will help in extending the shelf life of agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and high-value crops, ensuring stabilized supply and costs.

“This approach not only addresses immediate agricultural needs but also aligns with broader environmental goals,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement, adding that the facilities could be powered by renewable energy.

Construction of small facilities, the size of a 40-foot container van, may take three months. Those could be operational within the year. Each facility can accommodate up to 15 metric tons of agricultural products.

Meanwhile, construction of large storage facilities may take up to two years after contract awarding. Each warehouse could hold 2,800 to 3,500 pallet positions.

The large storage facilities are targeted to be built in Camarines Sur, Occidental Mindoro, and Nueva Ecija.

The facility construction plan also includes a road network, agricultural seaports, and an integrated cold chain network.

The DA said the project seeks to help lower the losses of local farmers and improve food security.