Agriculture committee defers purchase of refrigerated van

CEBU, Philippines —The Cebu City Council's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has recommended delaying the proposed procurement of a P7 million refrigerated van for the City Agriculture Department (CAD).

The committee, in a report, said the department must first justify the vehicle's necessity and explain how it will benefit farmers and agricultural communities.

Its members said they found the proposal "not favorable at this time" despite acknowledging the importance of proper transportation and post-harvest support for the city's agriculture sector.

The committee, chaired by Councilor Jun Alcover, said the immediate purchase of a refrigerated van worth P7 million had not been sufficiently justified

Before the proposal can be reconsidered, the committee is requiring the CAD to submit a comprehensive report on the city’s agricultural preparedness and response to El Niño, including affected areas and farmers, anticipated impacts, existing resources and programs, identified gaps, and the specific role the refrigerated van would play in addressing those concerns.

The committee also directed the department to provide a status report on pending, delayed, and unimplemented agricultural projects, as well as a detailed utilization plan identifying the intended beneficiaries, areas to be served, frequency of use, projected operational and maintenance costs, and expected benefits of the vehicle.

A cost-benefit and sustainability assessment covering fuel, personnel, and maintenance expenses was likewise required.

According to the committee, priority should be given to existing agricultural projects and commitments that remain pending or require immediate attention before allocating P7 million for a new vehicle.

The proposal stemmed from CAD’s request for funding under the 2026 Local Development Fund to purchase a refrigerated van.

In CAD’s request, City Agriculturist Joey Baclayon said the vehicle is needed to maintain the cold-chain integrity of temperature-sensitive agricultural products during transport, reduce post-harvest losses, ensure the quality and safety of fresh produce, and improve logistical support for farmers and field operations.

The proposed refrigerated van is among several agriculture-related capital outlay projects listed under Cebu City's 2026 Local Development Fund, which also includes the acquisition of farm machinery and heavy equipment intended to support agricultural production in upland barangays.

The Department of Agriculture has been promoting cold-chain facilities and refrigerated transport as important interventions to minimize post-harvest losses and preserve the quality of perishable agricultural products, particularly vegetables, fruits, and other high-value crops.