PILI, Camarines Sur—A quiet but potentially transformative shift in Philippine agriculture is taking shape in this town named after the nut-producing tree, where a P500-million cold storage facility is nearing completion—an investment officials say could reshape farm incomes, stabilize food supply, and anchor a regional food logistics hub in the Bicol region.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund “L-Ray” Villafuerte Jr. inspected the facility on Wednesday ahead of its targeted opening by late February or early March, after construction delays caused by typhoons and weather-related disruptions late last year.
“We are here to drive this game-changing project forward,” Tiu Laurel said. “This investment strengthens food security, creates jobs, attracts agri-investments, and—most importantly—raises incomes of farmers, fishers, and everyone in the agriculture value chain across Bicol and neighboring regions.”
Villafuerte thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for backing what he described as the largest and most modern cold storage facility in the region, saying it could spark new entrepreneurial activity among Bicolano farmers and fisherfolk. “We’re working double time to finish this as soon as possible,” he said, noting that recent storms had slowed construction but not momentum.
Beyond its scale, the project reflects the broader push of the Marcos administration to modernize agriculture by moving producers up the value chain. Rather than selling perishable goods at distressed prices, farmers will have the option to store, process, and time the sale of their produce—an advantage that has long been missing in many rural areas.
The facility will house six refrigerated warehouses with a combined 2,688 pallet positions. At full capacity, it can store about 4,600 metric tons of boxed meat or 3,000 metric tons of vegetables. It is also equipped with a blast freezer, processing and packing areas, and a solar power system designed to cut electricity costs and improve operating efficiency.
“This won’t just serve Camarines Sur,” Villafuerte said. “It will support the entire Bicol region, the Visayas, and even Mindanao.” He noted that much of the produce from the Visayas and Mindanao already passes through the province en route to Metro Manila and other major Luzon markets, making Camarines Sur a natural logistics node.
By reducing post-harvest losses and smoothing supply flows, the cold storage facility is expected to help stabilize food prices while shielding farmers and fishers from sharp market swings. The project’s long-term impact will depend on efficient management, affordable user fees, and strong linkages with traders and institutional buyers to ensure high utilization.
Tiu Laurel said the DA has earmarked another P500 million for a complementary food hub, with development expected to begin in June and run for about 12 months. The hub will provide trading and distribution facilities to complete the province’s emerging food system.
“With a complete food system in place, our farmers and fisherfolk can access higher-value markets and even export,” Tiu Laurel said. “That means more income, more jobs, and greater food security.”
In Pili, the cold steel and concrete rising from once-quiet fields now stand as a test of that vision—where longer shelf lives could finally deliver lasting gains for Philippine agriculture.
