GUAGUA, Pampanga (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led on Friday the turnover of the Rice Processing System II (RPS II) facility and the distribution of farm machinery in Pampanga, benefiting more than 36,000 rice farmers across the province.
The aid, which is under the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization’s (PHilMech) Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, aims to boost farmers’ productivity, profitability, and competitiveness through modern postharvest facilities and mechanized equipment.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who accompanied President Marcos at the event, stressed that the project is crucial to bolster local food system alongside farmers’ productivity and income.
“This facility underscores the Marcos administration’s commitment to modernizing postharvest systems and sustaining Pampanga’s role as one of the country’s leading rice-producing provinces. By integrating appropriate postharvest technologies, we ensure farmers get more value for their crops and reduce their losses,” he noted.
The RPS II facility includes a P53.6-million multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of two to three tons per hour.
It includes a pre-cleaner, de-stoner, huller, mist polisher, length grader, color sorter, blending tank, automatic packing machine, rice hull bin, dust collection system, and an air-conditioned control room.
The facility also contained P8.1-million recirculating dryers, each with a 12-ton per batch drying capacity, made of stainless steel and equipped with dual heating systems, a generator set, and complete accessories.
Guagua Mayor Anthony Joseph Torres thanked the President for the assistance, noting that the unity among different sectors made the project possible.
“We are very grateful sa ipinagkaloob ng ating Pangulo. This is a good project na pinagtulungan ng lahat—mula sa mga magsasaka, sa tulong ng LGU [local government unit]at ng munisipyo, kasama rin ang provincial government, at higit sa lahat, ang national government sa pamamagitan ng PhilMech. Kaya lubos po ang aming pasasalamat kay Presidente Bongbong Marcos. Kanina po nag-usap kami, at makikita mo talaga sa kanya ang tunay na malasakit para sa mga magsasaka,” he said.
Aside from the milling and drying systems, rice combine harvesters were turned over to five farmer associations across Pampanga.
These include SVMEX Farmers Association from Mexico; Barangay Sepung Ilog Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. from Sta. Ana; South Gumain Multipurpose Cooperative and Carmencita Farmers Association in Floridablanca; and the [LGU] of Magalang.
For farmer-beneficiaries, the turnover of the RPS II facility and farm machinery is life-changing as this will greatly improve both their efficiency and productivity in the community.
“Maraming salamat po, Mr. President, sa mga makinaryang naibibigay ninyo sa amin na napakalaking tulong sa aming buhay, lalo na kapag araw ng tag-ani,” SVMEX Farmers Association Chairperson Valentino Allas said.
Desiree Vitug of the Floridablanca South Gumain Multipurpose Cooperative said the new equipment will finally address the long-standing problem of labor shortages in farmlands.
“Ngayong araw ay tatanggap kami ng isang combine harvested kung saan makikinabang ang aming kooperatiba at ang aming mga miyembro. Sa programa ni PBBM, marami na kaming natanggap na biyaya. Malaking pasasalamat kasi binigyan ng pansin ng Presidente ang mga magsasaka. Sa matagal na naming problema sa scarcity ng human labor sa mga kabukiran, machineries ang naging solusyon namin,” she said.
With Pampanga’s 36,060 rice farmers managing 59,903 hectares of farmland, the turnover is expected to bring down production costs by P2 to P3 per kilogram and reduce postharvest losses by three to five percent, leading to higher yields, better grain quality, and increased incomes for farming households.
Pampanga farmers and cooperatives associations are also set to receive 28 four-wheel tractors and 13 rice combine harvesters under the 2025 RCEF Mechanization Program, further boosting farm efficiency and sustainability.
Nationwide, 151 RPS units have been completed under RCEF 1.0. Of these, 145 were completed under the Marcos administration, reflecting its strong push for agricultural modernization. (MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
