Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed optimism about boosting the agricultural sector in the Bicol region following the inspection of the PHP500 million Bicol Mega Cold Storage Warehouse by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel highlighted that the flagship project is designed to support local farmers and advance food security. He emphasized the administration's commitment to reducing post-harvest losses, increasing farmers' incomes, stabilizing the food supply, and ensuring rural development.

The DA chief noted the facility's importance, especially given the impact of oil shocks from ongoing tensions in the Middle East. As the first project completed under the DA Cold Storage Expansion Program, the facility includes temperature-controlled rooms for storing agricultural products like pork, beef, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables, with an annual capacity exceeding 200,000 metric tons.

The cold storage facility is equipped with preparation rooms for blast freezing, processing, and packaging, aimed at extending the shelf life of agricultural commodities and maintaining their market value. Officials also took the opportunity to inspect the PHP290-million Fruits and Vegetables Processing Facility.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte remarked on the project's significance for local food producers in Bicol. He described it as a crucial development for Bicolandia, a region key in national food production and as a corridor for agricultural products.