PBBM inaugurates PhP69.7-M rice processing facility in MisOr, targets to finish and build more by 2025

 

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the Php69.7-million Rice Processing System II (RPS II) on April 22 in Barangay San Isidro, this town.

Funded through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech), the RPS II is projected to cut production costs, minimize postharvest losses, and enhance rice quality.

The agro-industrial facility houses a multi-stage rice mill capable of processing 2 to 3 tons of palay per hour, and 4 recirculating dryers with a 12-ton batch capacity each unit.

With a total rice area of 1,794.65 hectares, 2,754 rice farmers in the province are poised to benefit from the RPS II, through the collaborative implementation with the project beneficiary First Community Cooperative (FICCO).

For its part, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 accredited the said coop, one of the requisites to be eligible for the availment of assistance under DA-RCEF.

“Sa tulong nito, bababa ang postharvest losses ng halos 32,000 metriko tonelada kada taon— katumbas ang mahigit PhP541-M na kita para sa ating mga magsasaka,” said President Marcos in his speech.

The chief executive also emphasized that the project is part of a broader commitment to modernize and mechanize the country’s rice sector by building more RPS.

“Bahagi ito ng mas malawak nating layunin. Sa ilalim ng ating administrasyon, nakapagpatayo na po tayo ng 150 na ganitong Rice Processing System.

Makakatapos tayo sa taon ng 2025 ng 20 pa. At on the year 2025, magsisimula naman mag-construct ng [karagdagang] 50 na ganitong klaseng Rice Processing [System].”

Alongside the inauguration, President Marcos, here, also led the ceremonial turnover of Php32.2-M worth of agricultural machinery and inputs, and the launching of the Php350-M Integrated Coconut Processing Facility.# (BJCE/DA-10 Info Team)