A monolithic dome, cold storage which is a first of its kind in the region, will soon rise in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

A cold storage facility helps keep the freshness of perishable foods such as vegetables and fruits by slowing down the deterioration process and extends its shelf life for several weeks. It is like a production facility where the harvest is packed and stored in a disaster-resistant structure.

The project is under the Department of Agriculture (DA)- Caraga’s High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP). It costs P25,000,000 with P20,000,000 funded by the DA-Caraga and P5,000,000 as the Local Government Unit of San Francisco’s counterpart.

DA-Caraga Regional Abel James I. Monteagudo (in blue polo) Field Operations Division OIC Melody Guimary (in blue polo shirt) and High-Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Marco Antonio Morido (at the back) turn over the ceremonial check for the Monolithic Dome Cold Storage worth P2,000,000 to the Local Government Unit of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur headed by Mayor Solomon Rufila (in gray polo shirt). Also in the photo are Municipal Agriculturist Viña Ranoco (2nd from left), Municipal Treasurer Honorato Nacorda (leftmost), Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Oscar Jurado (2nd from right), and Municipal Accounting Office OIC Bernie Porlares (rightmost).

A ceremonial turn-over of the check for the fund from the DA was conducted on March 8 at the Municipal Office of the said town.

DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that the Cold Storage is a timely project since these are still difficult times due to the COVID 19 pandemic and travel and movement are still limited. “With a prolonged shelf life, farmers are given more time to market and dispose of their produce therefore decreasing losses,” he said.

On the other hand, Municipal Mayor Solomon T. Rufila said that they would hasten the construction and implementation of the said project so that the farmers of San Francisco and even those from neighboring municipalities can already start benefitting from it.

According to DA-Caraga HVCDP Coordinator Marco Antonio C. Morido said that San Francisco, Agusan del Sur was chosen since it is a strategic area. “San Francisco is positioned within an intersection that leads to other production areas of the region. Moreover, Agusan del Sur is the region’s major producer of vegetables,” Morido said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that in the third quarter of 2019, Agusan del Sur’s production of 10,459.30 metric tons contributed 70% of Caraga’s vegetable production.

The Monolithic Dome Cold Storage and Packing Facility will be constructed on a 1,000 square meter land area in Barangay 1 of the said town. It is an air-tight, super-insulated, and disaster-resistant structure that offers absolute protection against calamity. (Vanessa p. Sanchez/ DA 13 – RAFIS)