The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking stronger collaboration with the country’s cold chain industry as it fast-tracks the rollout of modern storage and logistics infrastructure aimed at reducing food waste, improving farm incomes, and stabilizing food prices nationwide.

At the annual meeting of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) in Malay, Aklan, the DA called on stakeholders to support its P3-billion initiative to build around 99 cold storage facilities across major agricultural regions beginning this year.

“It is a foundation for transforming the agricultural landscape, minimizing post-harvest losses, increasing incomes for farmers and fisherfolk, and delivering safe, high-quality food to Filipino families,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told CCAP members.

The DA said the facilities will include modular and mega cold storage warehouses (CSWs) equipped with hybrid systems that run on both renewable energy – such as solar and wind – and grid electricity, ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability, especially in underserved rural areas.

“These facilities are designed to be scalable and adaptable, with modular features that accommodate local conditions while maintaining operational efficiency and integrity,” Tiu Laurel explained.

The planned mega CSWs will have storage capacities ranging from 1,700 to more than 8,000 pallet positions and will serve key agricultural production and distribution hubs nationwide.

To support a broader logistics network, the DA will also deploy refrigerated vans, tramlines, dryers, ice plants, and packaging equipment to strengthen the farm-to-market chain and reduce spoilage.

The department emphasized that cold storage is just one pillar of a broader strategy. Food hubs and agri-fisheries ports, while requiring longer timelines, remain long-term priorities to enhance regional aggregation and improve market access.

“We also recognize that cold storage infrastructure is only one part of the equation,” Tiu Laurel said.

Beyond logistics, the DA said the infrastructure investments are crucial to empowering rural communities, improving food affordability, and building a climate-resilient agriculture system.

Tiu Laurel underscored the importance of CCAP’s technical expertise and private-sector participation in making the cold chain expansion program a success.