Dennis Gasgonia

Dark rain clouds loomed over the province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway, in San Rafael Bulacan on November 7, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Dark rain clouds loomed over the province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway, in San Rafael Bulacan on November 7, 2025.

Article (news)

Rice traders race against the storm

Jonathan Cellona

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762590804969cropped-viber_image_2025-11-07_17-41-50-960.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Dark rain clouds loomed over the province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway, in San Rafael Bulacan on November 7, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Dark rain clouds loomed over the province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway, in San Rafael Bulacan on November 7, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>BULACAN — Dark rain clouds loomed over Bulacan as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway in San Rafael, racing to secure their harvest before the storm arrives. </p><p>Workers used shovels and sacks to collect the grains that had been laid out to dry under the sun. </p><p>Drying is a vital part of rice production. While mechanical drying facilities are available, many farmers and traders prefer the traditional method of sun-drying to avoid additional costs. Using drying facilities can cost up to ₱120 per sack, an expense that traders try to save.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/8/metro-manila-prepares-for-super-typhoon-uwan-0840"><strong>Metro Manila prepares for typhoon Uwan </strong></a> </div><p>Among those preparing for the storm is 69-year-old Boy Manio, a trader who buys palay from farmers, dries and mills them, and later sells the rice to nearby towns.</p><p>“We’re worried because if it rains tomorrow, we won’t be able to dry another batch,” Manio said, pointing to the dark clouds forming over San Rafael.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762590904089cropped-viber_image_2025-11-07_17-41-56-239.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Dark rain clouds loomed over the province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway, in San Rafael Bulacan on November 7, 2025. They are racing to secure their harvest before the storm arrives. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Dark rain clouds loomed over the province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway, in San Rafael Bulacan on November 7, 2025. They are racing to secure their harvest before the storm arrives. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>Proper drying is crucial to maintain rice quality. The grains must reach a moisture content of 14 percent before they are accepted in milling facilities. Any delay in the process could disrupt trading schedules and reduce profits. </p><p>Palay prices have recently surged, rising from about ₱8 per kilo in September and October to as high as ₱15 in November. Traders are eager to process as much as possible before the weather turns.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/11/8/signal-no-2-in-parts-of-bicol-samar-as-uwan-picks-up-speed-0732"><strong>Signal No. 2 in parts of Bicol, Samar as &#x27;Uwan&#x27; picks up speed</strong></a></div><p>“This batch was already dried once, but it rained yesterday, so we had to dry it again,” Manio said.</p><p>As the storm threatens, rice traders in Bulacan continue their work along the highways, hoping the weather will hold long enough to protect their harvest and secure their earnings.</p><div>  </div>

<p>Dark rain clouds loomed over Bulacan province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway in San Rafael, racing to secure their harvest before the storm arrives.</p>

Dark rain clouds loomed over Bulacan province as rice traders hurried to gather their newly dried palay along the highway in San Rafael, racing to secure their harvest before the storm arrives.