DA-10 turns over rehabilitated P7-million village-type dryer to Cabanglasan

CABANGLASAN, Bukidnon — The Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) formally turned over the rehabilitated P7-million Village-Type Dryer (VTD) to the Cabanglasan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARC) and local corn growers during a commissioning and testing run ceremony on September 11 at the VTD Building in Brgy. Iba, here.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan led the ceremony with Cabanglasan Municipal Mayor Bernie C. Castillanes, marking the completion of the facility’s rehabilitation and its commissioning and testing to improve access to corn drying services among local farmers.

Completed in 2015, the facility required rehabilitation after the conveyor of its bin dryer sustained damage in late 2023, affecting its operation.

The VTD is equipped to support postharvest activities, including drying and shelling, through a corn- on-cob dryer with a 20-metric-ton capacity, a corn sheller capable of processing 2.5 metric tons per hour, a recirculating batch grain dryer with a 12-metric-ton holding capacity, and a multi-fuel biomass furnace and bagging bin, among other components.

“Ang atong village-type corn dryer nag-operate pa lang og kapin sa usa ka bulan sa dihang nahugno kini tungod sa construction failure,” CARC Chairperson Orlando Adaptar recalled.

He said the rehabilitation progressed with the help of the agency, as it inspected the facility and committed to addressing the damaged unit.

“Paglabay sa kapin sa usa ka tuig, nabisitahan kini ni RED Pacamalan. Pinaagi sa iyang gisaad, gi-dismantle ang guba nga unit niadtong Hulyo ug gi-rehabilitate hangtod naibalik niadtong Agosto. Karon, Septiyembre 11, 2026, hingpit na kining naka-operate pag-usab ug opisyal nga gi-re-turnover ngadto sa kapunongan,” Adaptar said.

During the ceremony, Pacamalan underscored the importance of proper care and maintenance of government-assisted facilities to ensure their continued service to farmers.

“Hinaot nga sa pagpadayon, inyong bantayan ug atimanon ang pasilidad—ang hagit kanunay mao ang pag-ayo [kung adunay] madaot,” the agri chief exec urged, reminding beneficiaries to practice active stewardship of the facility.

He also recognized the municipality’s support, including site preparation and compliance with environmental requirements, which helped facilitate funding.

“Kining mga kalihokan ug kusog nga suporta sa local government, makapa-aghat kanamo sa DA nga mas magpaabot pa ug tabang,” he noted, citing ongoing efforts to secure a P250-million Corn Silo System for Bukidnon province.

“Dako ang pagkinahanglan sa pagpreparar sa Cabanglasan aron mas hingusgan ang pagtanum ug palapdan ang humayan ug maisan, tungod kay dunay programa nga mas dako pa niini,” the director added.

For his part, Mayor Castillanes said investments in postharvest facilities can help farmers reduce losses and improve their livelihood.

“Dili lang ekipo ang atong gihatag, kundi ang mas padayon ug may kalambuan nga kaugmaon alang sa atong mga mag-uuma,” Castillanes said. “Stronger post-harvest, stronger farmers, stronger Cabanglasan.”

For the 75 CARC members, the return of the dryer provides a more reliable option for drying their corn, particularly during unfavorable weather conditions. CARC farmer-member Gina Coria said the facility can also help reduce labor expenses and improve the quality of dried corn.

“Dako kaayo og tabang kining dryer para kanamong mga mag-uuma,” Coria shared. “Mapagamay niini ang among gasto sa labor. Tungod sa dryer, mas nindot ang kalidad, mas uga ang panagway sa mais, ug mas taas ang presyo nga among makuha sa pagbaligya.”

Overall, the rehabilitated VTD is expected to help CARC members and other local corn farmers improve grain quality, reduce drying costs, minimize postharvest losses, and gain better market opportunities.

Also present during the activity were Cabanglasan Municipal Vice Mayor Lolita N. Bullecer, other local officials, CARC members, and DA-10 personnel.# (JLPC)