Onion farmers in the municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro are one step closer to having access to an Onion Cold Storage Facility after the MIMAROPA Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved two proposed subprojects in the recently concluded RPAB Business Meeting on February 24, 2022.

With a total cost of PhP122.5 million, the Onion Consolidation and Trading with Cold Storage Facility in San Jose shall support the 720 farmer members of the WATCHERS Multi-Purpose Cooperative. On the other hand, the Onion Consolidation and Trading with Cold Storage Facility in Magsaysay will support the 270 farmer members of the Genaro ARB Multi-Purpose Cooperative (GMPC) with a subproject cost of PhP125 million.

During his opening message, Department of Agriculture MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Antonio Gerundio, CESO III, DPA, sympathized with the plight of the onion farmers in Occidental Mindoro.

“Importante ang ating agenda ngayon dahil this enterprise that we will be deliberating ay napapanahon dahil ang ating stakeholders in Occidental Mindoro are suffering in the market that really dropped, malapit na sila sa breakeven dahil hindi sila maka-avail ng cold storage kagaya ng mga Chinese trades. So malaking bagay ang mga project ng PRDP,” stated RED Gerundio.

This was supported by Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairman Alfonso Esguerra, Jr., as he stressed how a cold storage facility can guarantee the return of investment for onion farmers, regardless if it’s peak season or lean season.

“Ang maganda kasi dyan, sigurado ang kita ng storage eh, talagang makaka-recover. With all the facts na talagang tumataas ang mga inputs, abono, pati yung risk rin tataas rin yan dahil hindi natin sigurado ang takbo ng merkado. Kung may storage, makikita na magiging matagumpay ‘to,” explained Esguerra.

These subprojects are not the first DA-PRDP interventions to support onion as one of Occidental Mindoro’s prioritized commodities. In December 2020, the DA-PRDP, through the Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon Cluster, conducted a virtual Onion Investment Forum. This initiative presented existing investments and opportunities for expansion in the local onion industry.

In addition, the Upgrading/Concreting of Brgy. Poblacion Farm-To-Market Road (FMR) was completed in June 2021. This FMR currently supports onion farmers in the municipalities of San Jose and Magsaysay by providing a quality road which facilitates low hauling and transportation costs.

This RPAB Business Meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council.  (Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

RPAB members, PRDP PSO and RPCO, and the Occidental Mindoro PLGU together with the two presenters of the RPAB meeting pose for a photo after the approval of the proposed subprojects. (Photo by Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director (RED) Antonio Gerundio, CESO III, DPA delivering his opening remarks as he welcomes the guests and participants of the RPAB meeting. (Photo by Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)