BUGUEY, Cagayan — In a move toward agricultural modernization and farmer empowerment, Cagayan Gov. Edgar Aglipay said the province is all set for the establishment of a P275-million Rice Processing Center (RPC) here, which will become a cornerstone of the province’s efforts to boost the local rice industry and improve the lives of smallholder farmers.
Aglipay said he has already visited the site in Barangay Tabbac, where the infrastructure will be constructed. “The project will benefit not only Buguey but also neighboring Santa Teresita and Gonzaga towns.”
The RPC will be built on a one-hectare lot owned by the local government here and is expected to be completed by 2027. It is a flagship project under the One Cagayan Vision, a comprehensive development plan that seeks to modernize agriculture, promote sustainable tourism, and support high-value crops in the province.
Aglipay said this new Rice Processing Center is designed to tackle a long-standing challenge in the region: the low farmgate price of palay (unmilled rice) and the high cost of rice for consumers.
He noted that by providing modern milling and drying facilities, the RPC will enable farmers to process their own harvests, add value to their produce, and sell higher-quality rice directly to the market.
“This is the project that will increase the price of palay and lower the price of rice, because once we have a rice processing center with milling and drying facilities, it will help improve the lives of our farmers,” Aglipay said.
He added that the project is also expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve rice quality, and increase the bargaining power of local farmers. “By cutting out middlemen and allowing farmers to sell milled rice, the RPC could help stabilize prices and ensure that more of the profit stays in the community.”
Recently, Aglipay also inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Port and Park in Santa Teresita, part of the Timmore Island Project. This initiative aims to boost local tourism, create new jobs, and diversify the local economy. The improved port and park facilities are expected to attract more visitors to the coastal town, providing additional income for residents.
Meanwhile, Aglipay announced the establishment of a Pineapple Processing Center in the neighboring Gonzaga town, where a large pineapple plantation has been established.
“This new facility will support farmers of high-value commercial crops, providing them with the means to process and market their produce more effectively,” he said.
Aglipay added that the pineapple center is expected to create jobs, reduce waste, and open up new markets for local farmers, following the same model as the Rice Processing Center in Buguey.
“With the Rice Processing Center in Buguey and the upcoming Pineapple Processing Center in Gonzaga, the province is set to become a model for rural development and farmer empowerment in the Philippines,” Aglipay said.
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