Dennis Gaviola

Farmers gather palay to put into sacks after a day of drying in Brgy. San Juan in Morong Rizal on June 17, 2021 during Rural Workers Month. Rural Workers Month, celebrated every June, aims to recognize the contributions of rural workers who, according to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority released August 2020, received an average nominal daily pay of P331.10 in 2019.

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

HAMTIC, Antique – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government seeks to have 300 additional palay processing centers nationwide this year to strengthen national food security.Marcos made the announcement during the inspection of the newly-constructed Rice Processing System (RPS) and distribution of agri-fishery interventions in Hamtic, Antique.This palay processing center has modern drying and milling facilities, farm inputs, machinery, and solar power, based on a release.The President described the RPS as something that would produce high-quality rice and make farmers’ labor easier by automating drying and milling.So far, he said, while his administration already established 152 similar facilities in the Philippines, he wants more.“This year, magtatayo pa tayo ng mga 300 plus na drying system. Ang sabi ko kay Secretary ng Agriculture (Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.), sana naman ‘di na natin nakikita ‘yung nagpapatuyo ng palay sa kalsada, tapos sinasagasaan lang ng mga dumadaan na truck. Kawawa naman ‘yung mga pinaghirapan nilang mga ani,” the President said.For the President, the move would boost post-harvest infrastructure and also reduce losses for farmers.Aside from this, Marcos said the government is already maximizing efforts to modernize the agricultural system through the provision of machinery, crop insurance, and necessary inputs to farmers.This will help reduce the risks when natural calamities strike their areas, he said.  “‘Yan po ang ating mga ginagawa ngayon at sana po…At ako&#x27;y nakakatiyak ako, na kapag nasimula na, ‘pag na-open na ito, at nagamit – nagamit na ito, mararamdaman ninyo kaagad ang mas magandang patakbo, mas madali ang pagpadala ng ating – ng bigas natin para sa dadalhin sa palengke,” said Marcos, Jr.“Kung ano man ang mangyari sa buong mundo na nawalan ng bigas, tayo ho dapat lagi tayong mayroong sapat na bigas,” he added.The President also led the distribution of trucks to help farmers in transporting their products. He also distributed motorbancas to fishermen.“Mayroon rin tayong naibigay na tulong galing sa Crop Insurance Corporation sa mga nagsaka pero nasira ang tanim dahil sa bagyo,” he said.Managed by the Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), the Rice Processing System is equipped with modern technology and facilities for palay drying, milling, and storage.The Hamtic RPS began operations in November and currently produces an average of 260 cavans of rice daily, supplying rice to various establishments across Antique.

The President said this would boost post-harvest infrastructure and also reduce losses for farmers.

The President said this would boost post-harvest infrastructure and also reduce losses for farmers.

Marcos eyes 300 more palay processing centers nationwide this year

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Marcos eyes 300 more palay processing centers nationwide this year

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 19, 2026 06:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Marcos

palay processing

rice production

agriculture

food

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