General Santos City—A PhP450 million budget will be used for the acquisition of two refrigerated vessels next year.

According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, these vessels will be used to travel agricultural products across the country. Each will be equipped with refrigerated container vans and other facilities to cater for fish products and other perishable goods.

These ‘food boats’, as coined by the DA, is the answer to the high shipping cost for products coming from Mindanao that are to be sold in major markets in Metro Manila.

The DA will also launch ice-making plants in at least 47 areas near fishing grounds all around the country starting 2019.

Read the whole article here: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1047164