PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government will put up more cold storage facilities to address the unstable prices of agricultural products in the Mimaropa (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) region.
During a town hall consulatation with farmers and fisherfolks in Occidental Mindoro, Marcos said it was necessary to put up cold storages to prevent immediate sales of excess produce due to oversupply.
“Ang talagang problema dahil nag-over produce tayo, bababa talaga ‘yung presyo pero para makabawi naman na hindi kailangan ipagbili kaagad ay ‘yung cold storage. Kaya’t maglalagay tayo ng cold storage at mayroon tayong bagong design na cold storage kasi naging problema talaga dito sa inyo ‘yung mahal ang kuryente, kaya’t ang solusyon diyan lalagyan lang natin ng solar power,” the President said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., also present at the meeting, said they are currently setting up two cold storage facilities in Occidental Mindoro, with plans for five more next year.
Tiu added that the DA will also procure 600 containerized cold storage units to distribute among cooperatives to assist farmers in storing their harvests until market conditions are favorable. (GP)
