Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Sunday revealed that the agency plans to build around 99 cold storage facilities starting this year to help extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables and high-value crops as well as ensure supply and price stability.

In a statement, Laurel said that the key features of these cold storage facilities are their sustainability and low cost of operation.

He added that the refrigerated warehouses are hybrid infrastructures that could be powered by electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and those supplied through the grid to ensure efficient and environmentally friendly operations.

“This approach not only addresses immediate agricultural needs but also aligns with broader environmental goals,” Laurel said.

A total of P3 billion has been allocated by the DA for the project, which should help reduce farmers’ losses and boost food security. Most of the small facilities are expected to start operating this year.

“By improving the cold chain infrastructure, we will strengthen the agricultural sector, reduce farm losses, extend the shelf life of agricultural products, stabilize supply and prices, and ensure food security,” Laurel said.

The project is part of a comprehensive logistics master plan designed by the DA through the Agriculture and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO) headed by Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Logistics Daniel Alfonso Atayde.

The plan encompasses not only cold storage facilities but also the development of a robust road network, agricultural seaports, and an integrated cold chain network to streamline the distribution of agricultural products throughout the country.

Meantime, Laurel said that the use of P1.5 billion in unprogrammed funds in 2024 to kick-start the development of the cold storage network had been approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while another P1.5 billion was included by the DA in the General Appropriations Act for 2025.

“The unprogrammed funds will be spent to build around 65 small or modular chiller-type cold storage facilities across the country and a large cold storage facility to be built in Camarines Sur,” the DA chief said.

Also lined up are two large facilities — one possibly in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and another in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija — and around 31 modular units across the country.