President Marcos has welcomed the continued investment of global infrastructure firm I Squared Capital in the Philippines, underscoring the country’s strengthened reputation as a competitive and reliable investment destination.

In his message, delivered by Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go during the groundbreaking of the expanded Royale Cold Storage (RCS) facility in Plaridel, Bulacan, the President emphasized that modern cold storage systems play a crucial role in food security and sustainability.

“I believe this initiative is an important step in our fight against hunger and wastage,” he said.

“When we reduce post-harvest losses, more food becomes available for consumption,” he added, noting that better storage facilities help stabilize prices and support farmers’ productivity.

According to the President, the government is building a nationwide cold storage platform designed to secure food supply and modernize the logistics chain.

The expansion project will add a 1.5-hectare facility beside RCS’s existing five-hectare complex, increasing the nation’s cold chain capacity and helping ensure the safe preservation of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables for distribution across Luzon.

Marcos also recognized Bulacan’s vital role as a regional food supplier, saying the project would bring new jobs and economic opportunities.

“That is why we are building stronger systems here that protect what our farmers and fisherfolk work hard to produce for the rest of the country,” he said.

“When there is a steady supply, prices become more stable. When farmers are assured of cold storage and competitive prices, they become more productive. It benefits everyone,” he added.

Each RCS facility provides refrigerated warehousing, storage, and blast freezing for food industries, serving key provinces such as Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Pangasinan.

The Bulacan groundbreaking followed I Squared Capital Founder and Chairman Dr. Sadek Wahba’s courtesy call on President Marcos at Malacañan on Oct. 23, where they discussed the firm’s current and future investments in the Philippines.

With more than $1 billion already invested across energy, transport, logistics, and digital infrastructure, I Squared Capital is now advancing toward its $2-billion investment commitment to support the Marcos administration’s infrastructure and growth agenda.

“I Squared’s continued investments reflect the success of the administration’s efforts to build a more competitive, investor-friendly economy,” Secretary Go said.

“This partnership is a testament to the strong confidence in the Philippines as a premier hub for infrastructure, growth, and innovation,” he added.

The meeting with I Squared executives marked what Malacañang described as a strong “vote of confidence” from one of the country’s largest foreign investors.

I Squared Capital, headquartered in Florida, manages over $50 billion in assets across more than 90 companies in 70 countries. According to the Palace, the firm’s continued investments are aligned with recent reforms — including the CREATE More Act, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, and amendments to the Renewable Energy Act — all aimed at creating a liberalized and investor-friendly business environment.

“We are very confident this will make a big difference,” President Marcos said.

“We have to bring healthcare, food security, and infrastructure down to the people — that is how we build a stronger, more resilient Philippines,” he added.