The Baguio City Council has officially authorized Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of a P15-million cold storage facility, while requiring clearer financial and personnel management plans to ensure its long-term sustainability.
While the Committee on Laws and Governance initially recommended the approval of the project in Dontogan Barangay, the City Council granted its approval with a key amendment following concerns raised during the session regarding the facility’s long-term operation.
During the City Council’s regular session on July 20, 2026, Councilor Betty Tabanda questioned whether the facility would operate as an income-generating economic enterprise. Councilor Paolo Raynor Salvosa then clarified that the facility is intended to be self-sustaining, with an estimated storage fee of P250 per kilogram per day to be charged to farmers to help recover operational costs.
The discussion also covered the staffing requirements for the facility, which include a Facility Manager, a Cold Storage Operator, and a KADIWA Truck Driver. The project proposal estimates P1,116,000.00 in annual salaries, which will be funded through the facility’s operating income.
The City Council noted that the certificate of availability of funds, as well as a formal request for the creation or filling of the required positions through the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), is still pending. As a result, the City Council amended the approval to require the CVAO to submit a formal update on its funding and recruitment plans for the essential personnel.
The amendment also retained the previously mandated 15-day deadline for the City Engineering Office and the CVAO to submit a report on the budget and procurement timelines for the road access and utility requirements of the project site.
With these conditions in place, the council aims to ensure that the 200-square-meter cold storage facility will effectively serve farmers throughout the BLIST area and be ready for efficient operation upon the completion of its construction. – Rizaga, Yyan Chace B. (UC Ba Comm Student/SP Intern)
