DA chief plans for logistics masterplan

The Department of Agriculture (DA) bared plans to establish one-stop shops across the country to ensure ample supply of food for all Filipino consumers.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. called on the amendment of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority’s (PFDA) charter to include the development and management of marine and agro-industrial estates.

At present, the PFDA is tasked to establish, operate and maintain fishery postharvest infrastructures and facilities as well as provide market information and related services.

Laurel said expanding the PFDA’s functions will enable them to realize his vision for marine and agro-industrial estates as one-stop shops that will house ports, cold-storage facilities, silos and warehouses.

These facilities are designed to store farm and marine products including rice, sugar, vegetables, palm oil and other basic commodities.

“I’ve seen this model successfully implemented in South Korea and Japan. I hope the World Bank can help us realize this vision,” he said.

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The agriculture chief said he will appoint an assistant secretary soon to solely focus on logistics, in line with the World Bank’s recommendations of embarking on a digital transformation and improving the sector’s logistics.

“Definitely, we need a logistics masterplan. That is one thing I think is lacking in the DA,” he added.

Laurel also said he has been meeting with lawmakers to make certain adjustments to the 2024 budget to meet the Marcos administration’s goal of boosting local production, ensuring food security and raising the income of farmers and fishers. INQ