TİKA Supports Cold Chain Infrastructure in the Philippines

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has delivered a specially manufactured refrigerated truck to support 11 agricultural cooperatives operating in the Sorsogon province of the Philippines. The vehicle aims to ensure the safe and fresh transportation of agricultural products to markets.

Implemented in partnership with the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the project will allow cooperatives to transport daily-harvested produce, primarily vegetables and tropical fruits directly from farms to markets and distribution centers in a fresh and secure manner.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ulysses Lustria, Director of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, stated, “The truck provided by TİKA will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of agricultural cooperatives in Sorsogon. Transportation logistics have long been a major challenge for our farmers. Thanks to this reliable vehicle, they will now be able to transport their products faster and more cost-effectively, access new market opportunities, and improve their livelihoods.”

TİKA’s Manila Coordinator İbrahim Katırcı emphasized that the specially equipped truck with a refrigeration system will strengthen the competitiveness of small-scale producers in Sorsogon and make a significant contribution to the region’s economic development.

Sorsogon province is known for its fertile lands and wide range of agricultural products. However, due to frequent typhoons, farmers face major logistical challenges. In this regard, the refrigerated truck provided by TİKA is expected to minimize post-harvest losses by maintaining optimal temperatures during transportation.