The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Office has expressed its readiness to assist the provincial government in funding the establishment of a Palay Processing Center in the province of Nueva Vizcaya aimed at stabilizing the prices of palay for local farmers. This commitment was announced by Regional Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino after the DA updated Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito on various projects of the agency in the province during a meeting held at the Paniqui Hall of the Provincial Capitol Executive Building earlier today (August 12).
During the meeting, Governor Gambito took the opportunity to present the provincial government’s plan for the Palay Processing Center, which is designed to support local farmers. Aquino praised the initiative, stating, “We like this idea initiated by the governor. The Department of Agriculture is ready to extend assistance; this is a priority program to help our farmers.”
Aquino requested the immediate submission of the concept paper or proposal for the project, which she will endorsed to the office of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. Funding options discussed include the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Additionally, RED Aquino said that the annual budget of 300 million pesos allocated for rice programs in Nueva Vizcaya could be redirected from direct financial aid to support the construction of the processing center.
Governor Gambito expressed gratitude for the positive response from the DA regarding the provincial government’s initiative. He emphasized the need for more substantial actions to support farmers, stating, “We need to take bolder action for our farmers. Enough with the dole-outs; they only make our farmers look like beggars. We need to establish an atmosphere of competition to stabilize the price of palay. Once we achieve this, farmers will no longer rely on financial aid from the government because we will have improved their livelihoods.”
The Palay Processing Center or Palay Hub conceptualized by Governor Gambito, is designed to be a one-stop hub for farmers to process their harvests and sell directly to the provincial government at fair prices. “If the provincial government sets a good buying price, private traders will have no choice but to match it; otherwise, they won’t have any palay to buy and sell. This will ensure our farmers are no longer forced to accept low prices for their hard work,” Gambito stressed. /RMI
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