The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued an order for the establishment of processing facilities for fruits and vegetables in Camarines Sur.
Under DA memorandum order number 57 series of 2023 signed by Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban on August 18, the facility is being pushed as Bicol region is one of the suppliers of agricultural goods in Metro Manila.
The order also aims to cover processes and procedures on the use and release of funds allocated for the establishment the facility in Camarines Sur. The General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2023, a P290 million has been allocated for the project.
Of the amount, P240 million will be for the purchase of equipment for dry fruits and vegetable line; puree line; storage; and canning line while the remaining P50 million will for the construction of a building for the facility.
DA said among six provinces in Bicol, the province of Camarines Sur has the largest production area which is about 50 percent of the region’s production area equivalent to 40,114.60 hectares with an average production of 163,015.16 metric tons of fruits and vegetables.
The agency added since farming is one of the primary sources of income for 18,000 farmers in the province, the establishment of processing facilities will help local producers to have a steady access to market with high farm gate price and help boost the local economy.
Apart from increasing farmers’ income, the project is also seen to increase the supply of food as it will improve food shelf-life to resolve food wastage and make seasonal food available throughout the year.
The order added that proponent of the facility should have no unliquidated balance from the DA and must have owned at least a hectare of agricultural land in Barangay San Jose in Pili, Camarines Sur.
A project evaluation and assessment and monitoring technical working group will also be created for the facility as the guideline is set to be effective during the entire duration of the project or until Dec. 31, 2024.
