Agri chief seeks CCAP backing for cold storage infra development

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has called on the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) to back the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) initiative in accelerating the development of cold storage infrastructure in the country. “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,” Tiu Laurel told CCAP during its annual membership meeting in Boracay island Malay, Aklan on Wednesday. The Agriculture chief said the DA is fast-tracking its cold chain expansion through the rollout of modular and mega cold storage warehouses (CSWs) in major agricultural regions. “These facilities are designed to be scalable and adaptable, with modular features that accommodate local conditions while maintaining operational efficiency and integrity,” he said. Tiu Laurel said the “mega CSWs” are being developed to handle large-volume ...