The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the P2 billion allotted budget for the establishment of cold examination areas to improve quarantine and inspection of perishable items will be released starting next month.
DA Secretary William Dar said five facilities worth P400 million each will be built throughout the country.
These are located in Manila, Batangas, Bataan, Cebu and Davao and will be used by the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service.
Other agencies will also benefit from the integrated multi commodity facilities like the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Bureau of Customs.
The initiative was pushed to further beef up the country’s defense against the spread of African swine fever.