Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. turned over a P67.63-million rice processing system to the Narra municipal government to bolster the food security and tourism potential of Palawan.
The facility, completed in October 2025 by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, was funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Mechanization program. It aims to address logistical constraints in the province, which is often cited as a vital agricultural hub despite its geographical isolation.
“This is how we win back our edge in rice. We don’t just increase production, we make every kilo count by cutting losses, lowering costs, and ensuring farmers capture more value. If we are serious about food security, then investments like this must reach places like Palawan, where the potential is high but logistics have long been a constraint,” Tiu Laurel said during the ceremony in Barangay Antipuluan.
The infrastructure includes a multi-stage rice mill capable of processing 3 tons per hour and 4 recirculating dryers with a 6-ton per batch capacity.
The mill is designed to operate 16 to 20 hours per day, while the dryers can finish a single batch in 12 hours.
Officials expect the new system to reduce production costs by up to P3 per kilogram and cut postharvest losses by 5 percent. These improvements are intended to stabilize the local rice supply and increase the take-home pay for the more than 5,500 farmers who cultivate 12,000 hectares in the municipality.
Narra is widely recognized as the rice granary of Palawan, and the government views the modernization of its postharvest capabilities as a critical step in maintaining its status as a top food-producing region.
