Camarines Sur cold storage facility to open in December

A P500 million cold storage facility in Pili, Camarines Sur, is set to open in December, aiming to enhance food security, generate jobs, spur agri-investments, and boost farmer incomes in Bicol and nearby regions.

The facility is equipped with six refrigerated warehouses, each with a capacity of 224 tons, and will serve farmers in the province and potentially other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

It will cater to preserving vegetables, meat, chicken, and fish, and features a solar power system, a blast freezer, and a processing and packing area.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the facility will empower farmers by allowing them to preserve harvests longer, reduce spoilage, and access new markets.

This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s vision to increase farmer earnings and market control.

The cold storage facility will be complemented by a 'Bagsakan ng Bayan' or centralized trading post, which is also under construction and will serve farmers from all five provinces of the Bicol region.

Additional cold storage facilities are planned for Taguig City, Cabanatuan City, Occidental Mindoro, and Isabela starting next year.