Five Cagayan towns sign agreement for rice processing complexes

Five local government units in Cagayan have signed an agreement with the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) and two private companies to establish rice processing complexes in the province.

The agreement was signed at the Capitol Main Building’s Governor’s Conference Hall on Wednesday. Governor Edgar “Tatay Egay” Aglipay led the ceremony, joined by Baggao Mayor Leonardo Pattung, Alcala Mayor Cristina Antonio, Tuao Mayor William Mamba and representatives from Piat and Buguey.

The other signatories and participants included PhilMech Deputy Director Joel Dator, Verde Carbon Capture Inc. Solutions Manager Hazuki Kato and Renzy International Marketing Inc. President Jandrick Yao.

The memorandum of agreement sets out cooperation between the local governments and PhilMech for the complexes’ operations. The project’s first component includes a warehouse costing P34 million and a drying system valued at P7.8 million.

Dator said the facilities are intended to address challenges faced by rice farmers, including post-harvest losses and limited processing capacity, and to help improve the value of their harvests.

Aglipay thanked PhilMech, the private companies and the participating local governments for supporting the project. He said the complexes would respond to farmers’ concerns and help improve livelihoods in the province.

Verde Carbon Capture and Renzy International Marketing are expected to help find markets for rice produced through the five complexes. The project will support activities from harvest through post-harvest handling.