On October 28, 2025, the National Food Authority – Nueva Vizcaya Branch Office (NFA-NVBO) conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for their Modernized Warehouse/ Support to Buffer Stocking Program with the provincial and municipal officials of Nueva Vizcaya at the NFA Magsaysay Grains Center, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
In her capacity as Acting Governor, BM Eunice Galima-Gabol represented Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito at the event, joining Bayombong Mayor Antonio Bagasao, Solano Vice Mayor Eduardo Tiongson, BM Wilson Salas, Head of the SP Committee on Agriculture, and Provincial Farmers Action Council (PFAC) Chair Francisco Aquino Jr., as well as the barangay captains, farmers, and farmer representatives from the various municipalities. A preliminary period during the event included an informal open forum with the farmers’ associations and irrigators’ associations representatives present, with their concerns duly addressed by NFA officials.
According to NFA Regional Manager Julius Sugue, the establishment of the modernized warehouse is meant to address the need for a drying facility, as well as housing for a modern multi-stage rice mill. With raw grain having a short shelf life before quality decline and eventual expiration, the prospective drying facility in the Bayombong warehouse would take the responsibility of drying from grassroots farmers, who are often reliant on unpredictable weather patterns and lacking the proper space for even distribution – an age-old problem communicated during the preliminary.
“Nueva Vizcaya is very fortunate,” said Engr. Sugue, “Because out of 200+ sites, Bayombong was chosen, in recognition of Region 2’s production. Nueva Vizcaya is an emerging rice granary in North Luzon.”
Aside from aiding small farmers and addressing problems in rural farming, the establishment of the facility is also a measure by the national government to efficiently stock and safeguard rice reserves for stability in times of shortage and/or calamity, as relayed by NFA Branch Manager Elsa Asuncion-Lim. While the projected completion date for the modern warehouse is in May 2026, the NFA also expressed hopes of an eventual construction of a potential facility in Bagabag, as well as outdoor silos for greater storage.
On behalf of the Governor, BM Galima-Gambol expressed her gratitude to the NFA for their initiative in Nueva Vizcaya, as well as her appreciation for their direct address of the concerns of the farmers and farmer representatives during the preliminary. BM Galima-Gambol also showcased a recently passed motion, extending the effectivity of Executive Order 93, halting rice import from foreign countries to the Philippines. “I am grateful for the continued support of the national government for the farmers of Nueva Vizcaya.”
The continued recognition of Nueva Vizcaya as an agricultural power is also owed to the efforts of the NFA-NVBO, as well as the Nueva Vizcaya Irrigation Management Office (NVIMO) and the Provincial Agricultural Office (PAO). Aside from becoming the Ginger Capital of the Philippines, and Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito’s own fervent support for farmers in his flagship projects and initiatives, the establishment of the modernized warehouse guarantees support and aid to the small farmers, encouraging passion for their livelihood and better conditions in Nueva Vizcaya. /igmb
[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]
