KOICA-funded cold chain facility boosts Palawan seafood industry

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines’ chronic shortage of cold storage facilities — a bottleneck in efforts to curb post-harvest losses and strengthen food security — is set to ease with the inauguration of the Northern Palawan Cold Chain and Distribution Hub for Seafood.

Located near key fishing grounds in El Nido and Taytay, the P82.6 million facility is equipped with 10-ton cold and frozen storage, a two-ton ice-making machine, and refrigerated trucks, enabling local cooperatives to store catch longer, maintain freshness, and distribute more efficiently.

Operated by fisherfolk cooperatives, the hub is expected to become a central seafood distribution point for Northern Palawan.

Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by Good Neighbors in partnership with local governments, the three-year initiative (2024–2026) seeks to lift fisherfolk incomes, expand cooperative operations, and develop new revenue streams such as sea cucumber and seaweed aquaculture.

“Cold chain infrastructure is a direct answer to the question of how local fisherfolk can keep their catch fresher for longer and sell it at a better price,” said Jinyoung Hyun, secretary general of Good Neighbors Global Impact Foundation.

“It is designed to increase income, expand market access, and strengthen community-led businesses,” Hyun added.

The Philippines’ limited cold storage capacity — concentrated in Metro Manila and major urban centers — has long hampered the distribution of perishable goods from rural and coastal areas.

Industry data show that more than 30 percent of fisheries output is lost post-harvest, largely due to inadequate storage and logistics.

Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa of the Republic of Korea said the facility underscores “the shared commitment of the Korean Government, KOICA, and Korean NGOs to work hand in hand with local partners for sustainable, inclusive development.”

Alongside infrastructure, the project includes technical training on fisheries value chains, cooperative management, and climate-resilient aquaculture, as well as logistics support and buyer matching to connect producers with broader markets.

Once fully operational, the Northern. Palawan hub is expected to serve as a model for replicating community-owned cold chain systems in other fishing regions — a critical step in stabilizing seafood supply, reducing waste, and improving the country’s food resilience.