Ang Pahayagan

PAMPANGA– President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the Rice Processing System (RPS) II and the turnover of farm machinery to farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and the local government unit (LGU) of Pampanga in Barangay Pulungmasle, Municipality of Guagua on September 19, 2025.

A cornerstone of the Rice Competitiveness and Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), this state-of-the-art multi-stage rice mill has a processing capacity of two (2) to three (3) tons per hour. It is designed to boost farm productivity and profitability.

Valued at PhP53.6 million, this multi-stage rice mill includes essential components such as a pre-cleaner, de-stoner, huller, mist polisher, length grader, color sorter, blending tank, automatic packing machine for milled rice, rice hull bin, dust collection system, and an air-conditioned control room.

Meanwhile, the postharvest facility, valued at PhP8.12 million, is equipped with two (2) recirculating dryers, each with a 12-ton-per-batch drying capacity. It is built from stainless steel and includes dual heating systems, a generator set and related accessories.

Together, these facilities aim to increase farm productivity and profitability by enhancing access to and utilization of advanced production and post-production technologies.

With the RPS II, PHilMech projects a reduction in production costs for farmer-users by PhP2–3 per kilogram through a fully mechanized production system, and a decrease in post-production losses by three (3) to five (5) percent through efficient postharvest technologies.

Beyond these direct gains, PHilMech notes broader impacts, including increased local agricultural machinery manufacturing, wider adoption of mechanization technologies, higher yields, greater cropping intensity, more timely farm operations, reduced labor requirements, and potential additional income from machinery usage.

Complementing this state-of-the-art facility, President Marcos Jr. also turns over five (5) units of Rice Combine Harvesters, valued at PhP8.9 million, to leaders of farmers’ cooperatives and associations and the LGU. (PCO)