Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. spearheaded the unveiling of two climate-resilient and state-of-the-art Rice Processing System II (RPS) facilities in Jaen and Guimba, Nueva Ecija on August 29.
The combined value of these facilities amounts to Php120.9 million, granted to the Cooperative Enterprise for True Economic Reform Cooperative in Guimba, and Pakul Primary Multi-purpose Cooperative in Jaen, under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program implemented by DA-PHilMech.
“Sa nagdaang mga dekada, karamihan ng mga ipinamamahagi ay maliliit lamang na postharvest facilities, ngayon ay mas malalaki na at moderno pa ang matatanggap ng ating mga magsasaka. Liban dito, meron pa tayong dalawang malalaking gagawin na postharvest facilities next year dito sa Nueva Ecija na ten times ang laki rito, nasa tig-1,000 tonelada (ang kapasidad) bawat araw,” Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
He also emphasized that farmers in Nueva Ecija will no longer sell palay at a low price because they can now dry and process it through the RPS from RCEF. As a result, consumers can expect quality and affordable rice in the local market.
According to him, these efforts align with the goal of DA to ensure food security and make the farming sector a profitable industry towards “Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas”.
“Ito po ay sang-ayon sa ating mga programa na magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain para sa ating mga kababayan at gawing isang kumikitang industriya ang sektor ng pagsasaka. Ganito po ang Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas, umaarangkada ang kabuhayan ng magsasaka habang mas nakakamit ng bansa ang seguridad sa pagkain para sa lahat,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, PHilMech Director IV Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia reaffirms PHilMech’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art interventions to assist farmers in the province.
The RPS II is equipped with recirculating dryers with 12 tons capacity per batch and a multi-pass rice mill with 2-3 tons per hour capacity.
In addition to the RPS II, PHilMech has delivered production machines from RCEF, while the DA-Regional Field Office III has allocated various interventions under the High-Value Crops Development Program, Corn Program, Rice Program, and Fuel Assistance Project to the farmers and LGUs of Nueva Ecija.
The event was graced by DA-RFO III Regional Executive Director Eduardo L. Lapuz, DA-RFO III Regional Technical Director Dr. Arthur D. Dayrit, DA Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, Congresswoman Mikaela Angela B. Suansing of the 1st Congressional District, Acting Governor Anthony Umali, a representative of Senator Cynthia A. Villar, PHilMech Director III Joel V. Dator, the municipal mayors, and other DA officials. //JMGSubaba (FB, DA-PhilMech, August 29, 2024)
