THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) to establish a cold storage facility for onions.
MBFI has pledged P25 million to support the DA in the establishment of the facility.
“The funding for the implementation of the onion cold storage facility shall be sourced from the pledge of the MBFI, the current budget allocation of the respective agencies/offices and other available sources of funds, subject to the availability of funds and the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations,” a special order signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel stated.
A technical working group (TWG) will be created under the DA to facilitate the preparation of a proposal for endorsement by Laurel’s office to MBFI for funding.
The TWG will also provide technical inputs, advice and recommendations on the proposed establishment of the onion cold storage facility. Furthermore, it will be responsible for providing relevant data, including best practices and research findings related to the proposed project.
The DA has assigned Roger Navarro from the Office of the Undersecretary for Operations as the chairman of the project and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Director Junibert de Sagun as vice chairman.
The TWG shall report directly to the Agriculture secretary and ensure a systematic approach in the linkages of projects with other similar initiatives implemented by the government, nongovernment associations and private sector entities.