Ilocos norte: Better market options await onion growers in Ilocos Norte as the Regional Project Advisory Board in the Ilocos Region approved the construction of an onion cold storage facility. Provincial agriculturist Teresa Bacnat confirmed the PHP129.2 million approval for the facility in Barangay Buyon, Bacarra town on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the project is funded by the World Bank under the Department of Agriculture's rural development program. The initiative aims to mitigate onion rot, which can claim up to 40 percent of harvests, and stabilize farmgate prices during peak season. Once operational, the facility will allow onion growers to avoid selling immediately after harvest when prices are lowest. Instead, they will have more opportunity to time their market entry, smoothing supply and reducing volatility.

Onion is the Ilocos Region's leading high-value crop, with government data showing 52,839 metric tons produced in 2025. As part of the agreement, the provincial government will run the enterprise in partnership with the Bacarra Multi-Purpose Cooperative. With a 19,872-bag capacity, the facility will provide a much-needed buffer for yellow granex onions.

To maximize use of the facility, DA-Ilocos Region Executive Director Fidel Libao emphasized that harvesting must be synchronized and planting continuous. "If the cold storage is only a quarter full, the electricity goes to waste. See to it that planting is continuous so the project doesn't end up becoming a white elephant," he said in a statement. A hauling truck will also be purchased to support the facility's operation.