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The Department of Agriculture is investing P3 billion in the construction of 99 cold storage facilities nationwide
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The facilities will help reduce farm losses, extend the shelf life of high-value crops, and stabilize food supply and prices, DA said
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They could use hybrid energy sources—solar, wind, and grid electricity—for efficient and environment-friendly operations, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
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The modular cold storage units are the size of 40-foot container vans and can store 7-15 metric tons of produce; they are expected to be operational within three months of construction
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Larger facilities, with a capacity of 2,800 to 3,500 pallet positions, will take 18-22 months to complete
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The initiative is part of a logistics master plan by the DA’s Agriculture and Fisheries Logistics Office, including road networks, agricultural seaports, and cold chain systems
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is investing P3 billion in the construction of 99 cold storage facilities nationwide to reduce farm losses, extend the shelf life of high-value crops, and stabilize food supply and prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. in a statement highlighted the key features of the facilities: their sustainability and low cost of operation. He said the refrigerated warehouses are hybrid infrastructures that could be powered by electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and those supplied by through the grid to ensure efficient and environment-friendly operations.
“This approach not only addresses immediate agricultural needs but also aligns with broader environmental goals,” Tiu Laurel said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved P1.5 billion from unprogrammed funds in 2024 to kickstart the project, while an additional P1.5 billion is included in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
The unprogrammed funds will support the construction of 65 modular cold storage units across the country, along with a large facility in Camarines Sur, according to the agriculture chief. Additional large facilities are planned for San Jose in Occidental Mindoro and Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, alongside 31 more modular units.
Most of the small facilities are expected to start operating this year.
The modular cold storage units, the size of 40-foot container vans, can store 7-15 metric tons of produce and are expected to be operational within three months of construction. Larger facilities, with a capacity of 2,800 to 3,500 pallet positions, will take 18-22 months to complete.
The DA will oversee these facilities in cooperation with local government units and farmers’ cooperatives, ensuring efficient operations and community involvement.
The initiative, part of the DA’s comprehensive logistics master plan through the Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO) headed by Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Logistics Daniel Alfonso Atayde, includes developing road networks, agricultural seaports, and an integrated cold chain system to streamline the distribution of perishable goods.
The AFLO was established under Department Order 01, aiming to address inefficiencies in the farm-to-market supply chain and ensure food security.
READ: DA establishes Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office to streamline supply chain
The logistics office’s objectives include developing a real-time logistics coordination and monitoring system to track agricultural products, enhance distribution efficiency, and reduce waste. This system will also ensure greater transparency, curb smuggling, and provide traceability across the supply chain.
