A Monolithic Dome Cold Storage and packing facility will soon rise in the Agusan del Sur town of San Francisco to help local farmers maximize the amount, variety, and quality of their stored crops.

This came after the Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) handed over to the San Francisco local government the PHP20 million funding for the project on Monday.

In a statement Tuesday, DA-13 said the project has a total cost of PHP25 million, with the remaining amount to be shouldered by the local government as a counterpart.

“The proposed facility, when completed, will directly benefit the fruits and vegetable farmers in San Francisco town and the nearby towns in Agusan del Sur,” DA-13 Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo said.

Monteagudo handed over the PHP20 million check to Mayor Solomon Rufila.

“The Monolithic Dome Cold Storage, which prolongs storage of perishable goods, is a timely project since these are still difficult times due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, and travel and movement are still limited,” he said.

Rufila vowed the local government’s full support for the project. (PNA)