By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. touted the expansion of the Royale Cold Storage (RCS) facility in Bulacan as a welcome development in reducing post-harvest losses and supporting food security in the country.
In a message delivered by Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Frederick Go during the groundbreaking ceremony for the RCS facility in Plaridel on Friday, Marcos noted that the initiative is an “important step in our fight against hunger and wastage” and supports the government’s push for food sustainability.
“When we reduce post-harvest losses, more food becomes available for consumption,” the President stressed. “When there is a steady supply, prices become more stable. When farmers are assured of cold storage and competitive prices, they become more productive. It benefits everyone.”
The expansion project, led by global infrastructure investor I Squared Capital, will add a new 1.5-hectare cold storage facility beside the existing 5-hectare site. The RCS provides refrigerated and cold chain logistics services such as warehousing, storage, and blast freezing for food-related industries, serving key areas in Luzon, including Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, and Pangasinan.
“With its new ownership under I Squared Capital, we are building a nationwide cold storage platform designed to secure our food supply and modernize our logistics chain,” Marcos said in his message.
He also expressed optimism that the expansion project could generate new jobs and spur economic growth in Bulacan, which he acknowledged as a key food supplier in the region.
“That is why we are building stronger systems here that protect what our farmers and fisherfolk work hard to produce for the rest of the country,” the Chief Executive said.
On Thursday, top executives from I Squared Capital paid a courtesy call to the President at Malacañan Palace, where Founder and Chairperson Dr. Sadek Wahba reaffirmed their continuing commitment to invest in the Philippines, particularly in infrastructure development.
I Squared Capital’s ongoing and future investments in the country include energy, transport and logistics, and digital infrastructure—with about $2 billion in enterprise value already invested across various sectors.
-jpv
