As the so-called 'summer' in the Philippines nears, the national government has agreed to expand what it refers to as the "Palamigan ng Bayan".
No, this is not a place that Filipinos could hang out in to escape the intense of heat of the Sun soon but a cold storage in the agri-fishery sector.
Based on the tripartite agreement of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE), the program aims to provide cold storage in the agri-fishery sector and address concerns on food quality and productivity. The agreement was signed on Friday, March 12 by the three heads of the agencies--Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
Under the agreement, the three agencies will ensure the stability of price and steady and affordable supply of agri-fishery products in support of the food resiliency program of the DA, as well as develop new and emerging technologies for the agri-fishery sector in collaboration with research and development institutions and other stakeholders.
The Departments will also provide technical and other support services to local farmers and fisherfolks and encourage continuing technology innovation through public-private partnerships, joint venture arrangements, technology business incubation, contract research, management contract, and other relevant and related legal instruments.
According to Tugade, the department sought the cooperation of other government agencies to further expand and accelerate the roll-out of the program.
"In our willingness to strengthen this project, we are now working closely with the DA and the DOE. The project will surely progress and will help solve or reduce our problems on food shortage and food prices," Tugade said in Filipino.
A joint technical working group would also be established from among the involved agencies to discuss and address policies, technical requirements, and related concerns on the project.
The "Palamigan ng Bayan" was launched by the DOTr and the Philippine Ports Authority in a bid to assist local fishermen by providing them cold storage facility that will help preserve their catch and maintain its freshness before distribution and delivery to local markets and other areas.
This is also part of the overall effort of the DOTr's Maritime Sector to strengthen and bolster the government's response against the economic crisis due to the ongoing pandemic, according to the officials.