The Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pacific Roadlink Logistics Inc. (PRLI) for the establishment of a cold examination facility in agriculture (CEFA) in Angat, Bulacan for P2.3 billion.
Under the MOU, PRLI will develop 10 hectares for the CEFA, including its staging, laboratory, incinerator, container yard and truck parking.
A portion of the property will be used by the DA solely for its examination and laboratory area at no cost to the government.
The agreement said the facility will serve as the first 24-hour off-dock facility that will exclusively process agricultural importations from major ports in the Philippines, including but not limited to the port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port.
The MOU also authorizes the DA to use a certain portion of the property for a term of 25 years, renewable for another 25 years.
PLRI will also construct the physical and structural framework of the CEFA in accordance with the specifications and guidelines set forth by the DA but exclusive of equipment, fixtures, and other laboratory supplies, which will be for the account of the government.
The company will also assume responsibility for the maintenance against ordinary wear and tear arising from the normal operations of the CEFA. The company will maintain CEFA as an off-dock customs facility for the duration of the agreement.
The DA, however, is not allowed to introduce any major renovation or improvement on the property without the prior written consent of PRLI.
The DA is tasked to ensure its personnel and processes will comply with and be consistent with all standards.
The agency will also issue , formulate and carry out policy procedures and deploy personnel for the continuous and efficient operations of CEFA to effectively reduce costs for storage, demurrage, and delay in the release of containerized agricultural product importations.
The DA is also expected to allocate a budget for the procurement of equipment, fixtures and supplies to be utilized for its examination processes to be conducted in its laboratory.
PRLI is a local logistics company headquartered in Bulacan which currently offers trucking, container depot, inter island and warehouse cross docking services, among others.
