PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday unveiled a P61.7-million rice processing facility and distributed farm machineries in Pampanga as part of his administration’s drive to modernize agriculture and boost the income of more than 36,000 rice farmers in the province.
The President also led the distribution of land titles and financial aid to thousands of farmers and residents, underscoring his administration’s commitment to improving land ownership and livelihood opportunities.
The newly built Rice Processing System (RPS) II was designed to improve milling efficiency, cut farmers’ production costs by at least P2 per kilo, and reduce post-harvest losses by as much as five percent, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).
The multi-stage facility can process two to three tons of rice per hour and is equipped with a pre-cleaner, de-stoner, huller, mist polisher, color sorter, automatic packing machine, and an air-conditioned control room.
It also featrues two stainless steel recirculating dryers with a 12-ton capacity each, a generator set, and other accessories.
Alongside the RPS II, President Marcos turned over five rice combine harvesters to farmers from the municipalities of Mexico, Floridablanca, and Magalang.
Pampanga, one of the country’s top rice producers, has more than 59,000 hectares of farmlands devoted to rice.
The facility will be managed by local farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs). It is one of 145 rice processing systems completed under the Marcos administration, five of which are in Pampanga.
The project is funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, which aims to strengthen the country’s rice industry through modern postharvest and processing facilities.
Speaking at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, President Marcos personally handed out land patents and titles to 455 beneficiaries from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Metro Manila under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Handog Titulo Program.
The beneficiaries included recipients of agricultural and residential free patents, special patents, and deeds of sale.
“One of the beneficiaries whispered to me that he has been waiting 33 years for this title,” President Marcos said in Filipino. “You don’t have to wait any longer,” he added.
The Chief Executive said the land titles serve as recognition of farmers’ rights to own and make productive use of their land, while also promoting environmental stewardship.
The DENR also distributed seedlings to encourage sustainable land use among the new titleholders.
“The responsible use of land will bear fruit in the form of a more abundant life for all of us,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Use it properly for every Filipino family, for our communities, and for the future of our beloved Philippines,” he added.
In addition to the land titles, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P10,000 in cash assistance to 2,970 farm workers.
The provincial government of Pampanga also handed out family food packs to further support the beneficiaries.
President Marcos was joined at the event by Cabinet officials, including Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, as well as local government executives from Pampanga.
