TAKE OVER. The rice processing complex (RPC) donated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to farmers cooperative in Pototan town in 2015. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., in a press conference on Thursday (May 16, 2024) said the provincial government is gearing up to take over the said facility. (Photo courtesy of DA Western Visayas FB page)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo provincial government is gearing up to take over the rice processing complex (RPC) donated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to the farmers cooperative in Pototan town and make it among the components of its hybrid rice program.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said in a press conference Thursday that the provincial government is taking over the complex from the Pototan Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (PFMPC) to prevent it from incurring further business losses.
“The rice processing facility was from KOICA. It was turned over to a cooperative but there are terms in the agreement. Later on, it can be returned to the government for some reasons, like mismanagement or if not performing well,” Defensor said.
The modern rice processing complex in Barangay Amamaros was funded through a grant from KOICA. It was inaugurated on March 16, 2012, and transferred to the PFMPC in 2015.
It can mill up to 50 tons of palay per day and has a storage capacity of 1,100 tons.
In a letter addressed to the governor on March 9, 2024, PFMPC chairperson Andrei B. Celiz said that the project “encountered several challenges.”
“To avoid further business losses and damage to equipment, the PFMPC had ceased its operations as it prepares for its irrevocable decision of terminating its obligation of taking charge of the business operation and management of the RPC,” he said, thus explaining the transfer.
Once the provincial government takes over, the direction is for it to go back to rice processing and maybe procurement of rice similar to what the National Food Authority used to do to protect the farmers from the erratic prices of palay.
“The bottom line, the rice processing can go back to the province and will become part of our rice program,” Defensor said.
He added that it is also timely since the hybrid rice program of the provincial government needs help in constructing rice processing and drying facilities, the reason it is collaborating with the Department of Agriculture.
“The good news is that it is already there, we will no longer ask from the national government. It is perfectly timed. Under the hybrid rice program the province targets to produce six tons of palay per hectare,” he said. (PNA)
