ANTIQUE — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected a modern rice processing facility and led the distribution of various agricultural and fisheries interventions in Antique on January 19, underscoring his administration’s push for farm mechanization, food security, and livelihood support for farmers and fisherfolk.
The President personally inspected the newly constructed Rice Processing System (RPS) in Barangay Poblacion, Hamtic, a P54.706-million facility equipped with a state-of-the-art multi-stage rice mill capable of processing two to three tons of palay per hour. The system includes a pre-cleaner, de-stoner, huller, mist polisher, length grader, color sorter, blending tank, automatic rice packing machine, rice hull bin, dust collection system, and an air-conditioned control room.
Operated by the Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), the RPS utilizes modern technology for palay drying, milling, and storage. It began operations in November last year and currently produces an average of 260 cavans of rice daily, supplying various establishments across the province.
The cooperative has 1,427 farmer-members who stand to benefit directly from the project and collectively manage 374 hectares of agricultural land. Aside from rice cultivation, the cooperative also operates farm machinery and facilities, including hauling trucks, and earns from lending services, rice trading, rice milling, and seed growing.
During the visit, President Marcos also led the turnover of various agricultural and fisheries assistance aimed at strengthening productivity and income across the province.
The Department of Agriculture (DA)–Western Visayas provided KADIWA financial grants worth P5 million to the Hamtic local government unit and P1.5 million to the Hamtic MPC. The University of Antique–Hamtic Campus received P1 million under the Young Farmers Challenge–Business Development Assistance program.
Additional support included P32.1 million in assistance under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development program, two solar panel systems worth P2 million for farmer cooperatives in Patnongon and Belison, P110.63 million worth of assorted farm inputs for the Antique provincial government, a P10-million corn warehouse for the Patnongon MPC, and P3 million under the High Value Crops Development Program.
The Philippine Rice Research Institute distributed 37,530 bags of inbred rice seeds valued at P33 million to the provincial government, while the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation released 70 insurance checks totaling P485,213 to farmers in Hamtic and San Jose de Buenavista.
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) also turned over P8.4 million worth of farm machinery to four farmers’ associations in Antique.
To support the fisheries sector, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed 11 units of 20-foot fiberglass fishing boats with engines and accessories worth P770,000 to fisherfolk from the municipalities of Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, and Bugasong.
DA-BFAR 6 Regional Director Remia A. Aparri said the assistance aims to improve fishing efficiency, safety at sea, and promote sustainable fishing practices.
During the turnover, President Marcos personally spoke with the beneficiaries and reiterated his administration’s support for farmers and fisherfolk.
“Para naman mas maging maganda ang hanap-buhay ng ating mga farmer na kailangan nating alagaan dahil sila ang nagpapakain sa ating lahat, kaya’t kailangan ng ganitong klaseng mga pasilidad,” the President said.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) also turned over a P4.4-million community-based coconut nursery to the Hamtic Coconut Farmers Marketing Cooperative.
The inspection and distribution activities highlighted the government’s value-chain approach to agriculture and fisheries, aimed at increasing productivity, improving livelihoods, and ensuring long-term food security in Antique./PN
