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PILI, Camarines Sur (January 14, 2025) — A major investment poised to reshape agriculture in the Bicol region is nearing completion in Pili, as a ₱500-million mega cold storage facility moves closer to opening—offering farmers and fishers a long-missing tool to cut losses, stabilize prices, and unlock higher-value markets.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. inspected the project on Wednesday, ahead of its targeted launch in late February or early March. Construction was slowed by successive typhoons and adverse weather late last year, but officials said the project is now firmly back on track.

“This is a game-changing investment,” Tiu Laurel said. “It strengthens food security, generates jobs, attracts agri-investments, and—most importantly—raises incomes for farmers, fishers, and all players in the agriculture value chain in Bicol and nearby regions.”

Villafuerte credited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture for supporting what he described as the largest and most advanced cold storage facility in the region. Once operational, he said, the complex could ignite new entrepreneurial activity among local producers. “Despite weather-related delays, we’re pushing hard to finish this as soon as possible,” he added.

More than a storage site, the facility underscores the Marcos administration’s push to modernize Philippine agriculture by moving producers up the value chain. With access to cold storage, farmers and fishers can store, process, and strategically time the sale of perishable goods—reducing distress selling and improving bargaining power.

The complex will feature six refrigerated warehouses with a combined 2,688 pallet positions. At full capacity, it can hold around 4,600 metric tons of boxed meat or 3,000 metric tons of vegetables. It also includes a blast freezer, processing and packing areas, and a solar power system aimed at lowering energy costs and boosting operational efficiency.

“This won’t just serve Camarines Sur,” Villafuerte said. “It’s designed to support the entire Bicol region, as well as the Visayas and even Mindanao.” He noted that much of the produce from the Visayas and Mindanao already passes through the province en route to Metro Manila and other major Luzon markets—positioning Camarines Sur as a natural logistics hub.

By cutting post-harvest losses and smoothing supply flows, the facility is expected to help stabilize food prices while protecting producers from sharp market swings. Officials said long-term success will hinge on efficient management, affordable user fees, and strong links with traders and institutional buyers to ensure high utilization.

Tiu Laurel also announced that the DA has allocated another ₱500 million for a complementary food hub, with development slated to begin in June and run for about a year. The hub will provide trading and distribution facilities to complete the province’s emerging food system.

“With a complete food system in place, our farmers and fisherfolk can reach higher-value markets—and even export,” Tiu Laurel said. “That translates to more income, more jobs, and stronger food security.”

In Pili, the rising steel and concrete now stand as a tangible test of that vision—where longer shelf lives and better logistics could finally deliver lasting gains for Bicolano agriculture.

— NPO News Team | DAPO-PR