A 60,000 bags capacity Onion Cold Storage Facility amounting to 99.9 million pesos will soon rise in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. This will address lack of access to cold storage and post-harvest facility.

The ground breaking ceremony was led by Philippine Rural Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office 3 (PRDP-RPCO 3) Project Director Dr. Arthur Dayrit, PRDP RPCO 3 Action Officer Maricel Dullas, Talavera Municipal Mayor Nerito Santos, Jr. Talavera Municipal Vice Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez, and the members of Bantug Agricultural Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAMC) at Brgy. Bantug, Talavera, Nueva Ecija on March 22, 2023.

In her message, Vice Mayor Santos-Martinez said that the due to lack of accessible cold storage facilities in the area, farmers are forced to sell their produce upon harvest even at low price. “This project will surely increase the profit of Talavera farmers. With the management of BAMC, I have no doubt that this project will be successful.” said Vice Mayor Santos-Martinez.

For his part, Project Director Dayrit pledge agency’s commitment on delivering services for the farmers of the municipality. “We want to equalize the commitment shown by the Local Government Unit of Talavera. We are hopeful that another cold storage will be constructed in Talavera. So that they can cater nearby municipalities. I want that the BAMC management will effectively and efficiently manage the facility.” Dayrit urged.

BAMC Manager Nora Angeles expressed gratitude and vowed their 100% commitment on managing the facility. “We would like to thank the DA PRDP for trusting us by granting our request, we promise to fully commit on this project. This will be a big help to all the farmer members of our cooperative.” Angeles said.

With the construction of the cold storage facility, the DA PRDP RPCO 3 hopes to alleviate the lives of Talavera farmers since they will be able to store their onions and sell at a better time when prices are more favorable. (Ozanne Ono Allas, RPCO 3 InfoACE)