At Long Last! Batangueño Friend Invests In Bulb Onion Cold Storage

Over the weekend, I received a very heartwarming commitment of support from an old friend for my advocacy to boost Bulb Onion production in Mindanao which could counter hoarding and overpricing by the Onion Cartel.
German Panghulan, a Batangas businessman who had long dreamed of starting a viable Garlic and Bulb Onion Industry in the Philippines, has committed the construction of a Cold Storage facility for Bulb Onion in either Bukidnon or Davao where he both has properties.
German, whose company, Vetmate Farma Corp., produces the “Black Mamba” energy drink and the “Bravo” multi-vitamins for men, had previously collaborated with an European group for the production of Garlic in the Philippines when I was Secretary of Agriculture.
The partnership, however, did not prosper.
Over the weekend, I and German, who asked for my help in acquiring planting materials for Hass Avocado, Buko Pandan, EVIARC Jackfruit and Durian, talked about my plan to start a Garlic Trial Farm in Alamada, North Cotabato.
Somehow, this rekindled his old dream of starting a viable Garlic and Onion Industry in the country.
He volunteered to tap Garlic experts from the Ilocos Region to help me in the Garlic Trial Farms and acquire additional planting materials.
Upon learning that there is already a growing number of Bulb Onion Farmers in Mindanao, especially the Cotabato and Davao Regions, German committed to build what could be the first Bulb Onion Cold Storage in the Southern Philippines.
This means that German’s company will be buying the Bulb Onion Production of farmers to be kept in the Cold Storage and released during off-season to stabilize prices.
This development means that Mindanao Bulb Onion consumers will no longer have to pay P700 for one kilo of Bulb Onion because supply and prices will be stabilized by this initiative.
For me, this commitment is the fulfillment of my dream of establishing a viable and profitable Bulb Onion Industry in Mindanao.
Institutional Buyers and Cold Storage lang ang kailangan ng mga magsasaka ng sibuyas sa Mindanao and with German’s commitment now, this is going to come true.
I thank God for this blessing of giving me friends who believe in my advocacies and who are willing to support me in my dream of achieving Food Self-Sufficiency in the country.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#ThankGodForMyFriends!