Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, March 20, 2025 (DA RFO 02) – The onion farming industry in Region 02 received a major boost with the inauguration and blessing of a PHP 43-million onion cold storage facility in Santa Maria, Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya.

This newly built facility, the third of its kind in Cagayan Valley, reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture, increasing production, and ensuring sustainability through strategic policy development, technical assistance, and resource allocation.

The event was led by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA RFO 02), in partnership with local farmer cooperatives and associations, the municipalities, provincial and local government units of Dupax del Sur and Nueva Vizcaya, and other stakeholders.

The facility has a capacity of 20,000 bags—equivalent to 500 metric tons or 500,000 kilograms—covering at least 30 hectares.

Ms. Carol Albay, the HVCDP and NUPAP focal person, presented the rationale behind the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. She stated:

“This is a milestone not just for HVCDP but for the entire Region 02, and it highlights the support of the national Department of Agriculture.”

She further emphasized that DA RFO 02’s focused support for the onion industry began in 2021, covering both operations and research. Over the past four to five years—including 2025—the department has invested around ₱283 million in the onion industry. This cold storage facility is the third one built by the DA, with a fourth currently under construction in Isabela.

“Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, Region 02 ang may pinakamalaking konsumo ng sibuyas sa buong bansa, averaging 3.84 kilograms per person. With a total population of 3.5 million across five provinces, that’s a significant demand—dahil sa pansit! Noong 2021, nasa 61% lang ang sufficiency level natin, ibig sabihin, karamihan sa sibuyas na kinokonsumo natin noon ay nagmumula sa mga karatig-rehiyon tulad ng Region 3 at Region 1. Pero sabi namin, kaya naman ng Region 02 dahil sa Rice + Onion Technology, at unti-unti nating tinutulungan ito sa pamamagitan ng investments mula sa national DA.”

She proudly shared that their goal is to achieve 100% sufficiency by 2028, ensuring that the region’s production fully meets its consumption needs.

“But as of today, I am happy to inform you that we have already reached 159% sufficiency—and we owe it to our heroes, kayo po, ang ating mahal na mga magsasaka! Kayo po ang nagpapakain sa amin. Kung hindi kayo magtatanim, kahit may pera kami, wala tayong kakainin. Kaya saludo kami sa inyong lahat!”

Regional Executive Director Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino delivered an inspiring welcome message, highlighting the significance of the event.

She fondly referred to the gathering as the “Reunion of Onion- Preneurs” in Nueva Vizcaya, recognizing the collective progress of the region’s farmers.

Aquino also acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA), led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., in pushing for agricultural advancements in Nueva Vizcaya and across the country.

“One of the key goals of Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel is to develop Nueva Vizcaya as spices capital of Luzon. Ang kanyang advocacy ay gawing ‘white fields’ ang ating mga sakahan na puno ng greenhouses for indoor cultivation systems. Nagsimula na rin kaming mag-usap tungkol dito sa preliminary meetings, na sana ay mapuno ng greenhouses ang probinsiya para tuloy-tuloy ng makapag-produce ng mas maraming gulay, partikular na ang sibuyas. At siyempre, hindi ka makakapagluto ng masarap na gulay kung walang sibuyas,” she explained.

The DA is setting its sights on developing at least ten municipalities out of fifteen in Nueva Vizcaya as part of this ambitious project. With this vision in mind, Dr. Aquino expressed her optimism: “I am very optimistic that Nueva Vizcaya will soon be known as the White Field Agri-Tourism destination of Cagayan Valley.”

Following this was the opening and inspirational message from the main guest, Undersecretary Cheryl Marie N. Caballero, MTM, of the DA’s High Value Crops Development Program.

She acknowledged the strong leadership of RED Aquino and the effective teamwork of DA RFO 02.

“Ang proyektong ito—ang Onion Cold Storage at ang distribusyon ng agricultural inputs—ay isang halimbawa ng clustering. Kapag sinasabi nating clustering, ito ay ang pagsasama-sama ng produksyon, tulad nitong cold storage. Sa hinaharap, magkakaroon din ng processing para sa sibuyas”, she said.

“Ang mga interbensyong pinag-uusapan natin ay mahalagang mekanismo na dapat ninyong talakayin bilang isang grupo. Masaya akong makita na nagtutulungan ang LGU, DA Region, at Probinsya upang mas mapabuti ang pagpapatupad ng ganitong proyekto.”

The Undersecretary emphasized the DA’s interventions on market and logistics.

“Pangarap natin na hindi lang basta maiimbak ang mga sibuyas, maging ito man ay red o white. Ang white onions ay mataas ang halaga dahil ito ang binibili ng mga industriya. Kaya’t ang market connectivity ninyo ay magiging bahagi ng onion clustering approach na ating ipatutupad. Ibig sabihin, habang nagtatanim pa lang kayo, alam na ninyo kung saan ibebenta ang produkto at hindi na kayo maghihintay kung sino ang bibili”, she mentioned.

“Siyempre, itong cold storage ay isang paraan para maiwasan ang pagkabulok ng sibuyas. Sa halip na masayang, maaari natin itong iimbak habang hinihintay ang tamang presyo upang masigurong tuloy-tuloy ang suplay. Ngunit higit pa rito, tinitingnan din natin ang posibilidad na hindi lang fresh o stored ang inyong produkto. Maganda rin kung mayroong value-adding activities, tulad ng paggawa ng onion spices. Sa ganitong paraan, mas magiging kapaki-pakinabang ang sibuyas dahil ang fresh produce ay perishable, pero may seguridad tayo dahil may cold storage na”, Caballero added.

“Masuwerte kayo rito dahil ang ating research stations ay magiging learning and earning farms. Magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang aktibidad at interbensyon na ipapatupad natin sa ating research stations. Sa bawat munisipyo, magkakaroon din ng ‘Gulayan sa Bayan,’ na isasabay natin sa mga programa ng Rural Improvement Club. Tandaan natin, let our food be our own medicine—isang mahalagang bahagi ng ating suporta at kampanya.”

“Gagawin nating isa ang Nueva Vizcaya sa pinakamahalagang lugar para sa food production at product value creation. Umaasa ako na sa pamamagitan ng inyong organisasyon, maipapakita natin ang lakas at impluwensya ng ating mga magsasaka sa pag-unlad ng ating pamilya, komunidad, at buong bansa”, she ended.

Dupax del Sur Mayor Neil Magaway expressed his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for allocating the project.

“Alam ko na ang hirap at laki ng gastos ng ating mga farmers, kaya’t bawat proyektong maaaring makatulong sa agrikultura at sa kanila ay aking tinututukan at pinipiling maipatupad. Wala po akong ibang hangarin kundi mapaganda at mapaunlad ang buhay ng bawat magsasaka,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony was blessed and benedicted by Rev Rodolfo Agripa, followed by the unveiling of the facility’s marker.

Meanwhile, Elgine R. Iritan, Municipal Agriculturist of Dupax Del Sur acknowledged the participants, to include DA RF0 02 Regional Technical Director for Operations Roberto C. Busania, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Kay S. Olivas, Mr. Hector U. Tabbun, Chief, Research Division, Mr. Arsenio Apostol Jr., Chief, Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station and staff, Municipal Agriculturists from Kayapa, Sta. Fe, Dupax Del Norte, Bambang, different Barangay Captains from Sta. Maria, Gabut and Mangayang along their councils, Chairperson from the council from the Municipal and Agriculture Council, representing the Governor of Nueva Vizcaya Jose V. Gambito, Provincial Agriculturist Rizal Absalom Baysa, Kayapa Mayor Elizabeth Balasya, Vice Mayor Ruben Basconsillo of Dupax Del Sur along with his Sangguniang members and different head offices from the LGU, Manager Kurt Alfaro of Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal Incorporated and FCA’s beneficiaries.

The inauguration of the PHP 43-million onion cold storage facility in Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, marks a significant step in strengthening the onion industry in Region 02.

This initiative aimed to provide farmers with better storage solutions, reducing post-harvest losses and enabling them to sell their produce at favorable market prices.

With a 20,000-bag capacity, this facility supports 172 farmers, furthering the government’s commitment to agricultural sustainability and productivity.