TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is committed to building a rice processing system and a food hub with a cold storage facility in Kalinga to boost farmers’ income and increase their competitiveness.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the promise during his visit to the Cordillera region’s top rice-producing province on Friday, May 22, 2026.
“Today, I commit to our Governor, our Congresswoman, the Vice Governor, and to everybody that we will put up a Rice Processing System as soon as possible. Rice Processing System 3 na ho, ‘yun ‘yung pinakamalaki natin para makatulong lalo na sa presyo ng ating palay ng ating mga farmers sa lalong madaling panahon. We will try to build this starting this year, hopefully matapos natin next year,” Tiu Laurel said.
A rice processing system is a state-of-the-art drying and milling facility that improves rice quality, reduces post-harvest losses, and helps farmers sell their crops at better market prices.
Tiu Laurel said it will help address the issue raised by Kalinga farmers about low palay farmgate prices, with traders and middlemen taking advantage of the harvest season to buy farmers’ produce at depressed rates.
“Para hindi na mahawakan ng traders ang mga magsasaka dito. Para kaya nilang (farmers) itago ang kanilang palay nang mas matagal, at hindi nila kailangang ibenta kaagad,” Tiu Laurel said.
The rice processing system will be built in a 50-hectare property in the municipality of Rizal that the Kalinga provincial government has designated for the establishment of a rice and corn complex.
Aside from the rice processing system, Tiu Laurel committed to providing Kalinga with a food hub and cold storage facilities that will serve to help farmers to sell their crops at competitive prices, address logistical challenges, and improve market access.
“I think it’s also appropriate that we put in that 50-hectare property a food hub with cold storage, so paplanuhin natin yan and hopefully, we will implement that next year naman, sana matapos by 2028,” Tiu Laurel said.
Governor James Edduba welcomed these initiatives and affirmed the local government’s support and strong collaboration for itstheirccessful implementation.
“With humility and hope, we appeal for your support in turning this vision into reality. We believe that through strong collaboration between the national government and local government units, we can bring lasting progress and opportunities to our farmers and future generations,” the local chief executive said.
The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aggressively pursuing the modernization of the agriculture sector to ensure the country’s food security and uplift farmers. **JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga
