President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday visited the Bicol Mega Cold Storage and Vegetable and Fruit Processing Facility in Pili, Camarines Sur, underscoring the government’s efforts to modernize agricultural infrastructure and improve farmers’ earnings.
Marcos said the facility is part of measures to secure food supply by minimizing post-harvest losses and strengthening the farm-to-market chain.
“Binubuo namin ang buo na pangangailangan ng ating mga magsasaka. Dahil talaga namang alam namin na ang buong Pilipinas ang nagpapakain ay ang ating mga magsasaka at alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap maghanapbuhay na nagsasaka,” he remarked.
He stressed that without cold storage, perishable goods like vegetables, eggs, and other farm products are often sold at low prices due to spoilage risks.
“Kasi pagka wala tayong ganito, ‘yung mga produkto natin…kailangan ninyong ibenta dahil masisira… Kaya kung anong presyo ang sasabihin ng trader, wala kayong magagawa,” Marcos explained.
The President noted that the facility would be managed by local groups to ensure farmers directly benefit from better storage and pricing.
“Kayo ang magsasabi kung kailan ibebenta, kaninong tatanggapin na produkto,” he said.
Constructed with a ₱500-million budget, the complex includes six refrigerated warehouse rooms, a preparation area, and a blast freezer with a two-ton capacity. It is solar-powered and designed to store vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and fish.
With an annual capacity exceeding 200,000 tons, it is expected to serve more than 200,000 farmers, cooperatives, and associations across Bicol and nearby regions.
Since June 2022, 24 cold storage facilities have been rolled out nationwide, with the Bicol hub among the largest.
Marcos also highlighted the processing component, which will provide additional income streams for local communities by turning raw produce into chilled, frozen, dried, canned, and puree products.
“Mayroon tayong mga processing na ganito. Ang may-ari, lokal. Para kung ano man ang dagdag, ang tawag nila value-added, sa presyo ng produkto ay hindi mapupunta sa malaking korporasyon, kundi mapupunta sa ating mga nagsasaka,” he said.
During the visit, the President toured the facility, observed processing operations, and sampled some of the finished products.