Camarines sur: At least 5,711 farmers will directly benefit from a fruits and vegetables processing facility opened in Camarines Sur on Monday. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the project implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Camarines Sur provincial government that will reduce post-harvest losses and add value to fruits and vegetables.

According to Philippines News Agency, the President was accompanied by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte during his visit. The facility functions as a hub that receives, processes, and stores fruits and vegetables, producing chilled, frozen, dried, canned, and pur©ed items. The PHP290-million project, located in Barangay San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur, is expected to generate 582 jobs.

Laurel emphasized that the facility underscores the commitment of the Marcos administration to cut post-harvest losses, raise farmers' incomes, stabilize food supply, and ensure lasting rural development. Villafuerte noted that the facility will serve the rest of the Bicol Region, as well as suppliers from the Visayas and Mindanao, highlighting the region's long-standing role in national food production.

Farmers at the launch welcomed the development, stating it provides greater flexibility to store their produce, wait for more favorable market conditions, and minimize waste. Aside from the processing facility, the President and other government officials also inspected the mega cold storage facility worth PHP500 million.