ILOILO – To modernize rice processing, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen the income of Ilonggo farmers, the national government has launched a P347-million modern post-harvest processing facility in Dumangas, Iloilo, the first completed project among 36 similar facilities being rolled out nationwide.
Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the inauguration on July 15 together with National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Dumangas’ Mayor Braeden Biron, DA-Western Visayas Regional Director Dennis Arpia, and Iloilo Provincial Agriculturist officer-in-charge Geron Magbanua.
The facility consists of an eight- to 10-ton-per-hour capacity multi-pass rice mill and four 30-ton-per-batch mechanical grain dryers.
Built at a cost of P347 million, including the building and machinery, the facility is designed to modernize post-harvest operations, minimize production losses, improve grain quality, and increase farmers’ earnings.
During the inauguration, Tiu Laurel also assured Iloilo farmers that imported rice would be kept out of local markets during the province’s harvest period to help protect farmgate prices.
“Pagdating sa harvest season ninyo, hindi ko papapasukin ang imported rice sa lahat ng [merkado] sa Iloilo hanggang end of November from middle of September,” the DA Secretary said, also wishing farmers a good harvest.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the government recognizes Iloilo as one of the country’s major rice-producing provinces.
Known as the rice granary of Western Visayas, Iloilo produced 837,967.53 metric tons of palay in 2025, accounting for 56.4 percent of the region’s total rice production.
Governor Defensor welcomed the project, saying it complements the provincial government’s continuing investments in post-harvest infrastructure to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity.
The provincial government has allocated P20 million for the construction of a rice warehouse in San Rafael and recently completed a P7.9-million warehouse in Batad, now managed by the Batad Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
“Thank you very much for this rice processing center in Dumangas. It is really good that we have this kind of facility….The provincial government is willing to help if ano pa ang pwede nating idagdag,” the governor said.
Defensor also updated the DA chief on Iloilo’s P299-million rice program under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Benteng Bigas” Program, which is integrated with the province’s “SiPag at TiyaGa” health and nutrition initiative benefiting households with malnourished children.
Alongside the inauguration, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-6, headed by Regional Director Remia A. Aparri, distributed five 20-foot fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) fishing boats with complete accessories worth P325,000 to five fisherfolk from Banate.
BFAR also turned over an oyster raft culture project valued at P146,900 benefiting 13 individuals and one association in Barangay Ermita, Dumangas.
Among the beneficiaries was Melanie Espinosa, 54, a member of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) of Banate, who has been fishing with her husband for the past 15 years.
“Nagapasalamat gid kami sa aton government labi na gid sa BFAR, nga isa sila sa mga agency nga nagpatigayon para kami makabaton sini nga project nga fiberglass boat. Dako gid nga bulig sa amon kay diri kami nagakuha sang amon pang-adlaw adlaw, nga galastuhon,” Espinosa said./PN
