Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
April 22, 2025
“Ngayong araw, nagsasama-sama tayo upang maglunsad ng isang napakahalagang hakbang tungo sa mas matatag, mas makabago, at mas maunlad na kinabukasan para sa ating mga magsasaka — ang tunay na haligi ng ating lipunan,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the launching of the Rice Processing System II project and the Integrated Coconut Processing Facility (ICPF), along with the turnover of various agricultural interventions to farmers in Misamis Oriental during a Ceremony in Barangay San Isidro, Balingasag.
Addressing local farmers, farmer cooperatives and associations, government officials and the private sector, the President emphasized the vital role of agriculture as the backbone of Philippine economy, acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices of Filipino farmers. “Ang agrikultura ay isa sa pinakamahalagang saligan ng ating ekonomiya. Ang bawat punla, puno, bunga ay [sumasalamin] sa pagsisikap, sakripisyo, at tagumpay ng bawat Pilipinong magsasaka,” he said.
The Chief Executive also shared encouraging figures, noting that in 2023, the agriculture sector in Region X grew by 4.6%, making it the second fastest growing area in Northern Mindanao. The agriculture output in the Region reached nearly PhP30 billion, accounting for 17% of the Region’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP), underscoring the sector’s importance to regional prosperity.
The formal launch of the Rice Processing System II Facility, equipped with a multi-stage rice mill and four (4) recirculating water dryers, is expected to improve rice quality, increase milling recovery rates from 55-58% to 63-65%, and reduce post-harvest losses by approximately 32,000 metric tons annually — equivalent to over PhP541 million in additional income for farmers. The Administration has already constructed 150 rice processing centers nationwide, with plans to build an additional 20 by the end of 2025.
“Bahagi ito ng mas malawak nating layunin. Sa ilalim ng ating administrasyon, nakapagpatayo na po tayo ng 150 na ganitong Rice Processing System,” he said. The President also announced the construction of 50 more centers next year, ensuring that each large rice-producing area will have access to modern processing facilities.
Complementing these facilities, the government has invested over PhP123 million in farm-to-market roads (FMR), and farm machineries and equipment (FME) to support local farmers in Region X. Notable projects include the Mapulong-Tuboran FMR and arch bridges valued at nearly PhP91 million, which aim to facilitate easier access for farmers and boost regional productivity. To date, nearly 70 kilometers of farm roads and over 105 meters of bridges have been built in the Region, benefitting approximately 16,000 Filipino families.
One of the highlights of the President’s visit was the inauguration of the Philippines’ first Integrated Coconut Processing Facility (ICPF), recognized as a pioneering project nationwide. The facility underscores the country’s status as one of the world’s largest coconut producers.
President Marcos Jr. expressed pride in the Philippines’ second-largest global coconut export position, despite limited government support in the past 50 years. He lauded local farmers’ resilience and ingenuity, emphasizing the new facility’s potential to maximize coconut utilization. He also discussed scaling such processing centers nationwide, aiming to improve infrastructure and secure funding for more coconut farmers. The government plans to leverage existing funds and seek additional support to expand these facilities and elevate the Philippines to the top position in coconut product exports.
A key component of the Solving Unemployment through Rural Industrialization and Sustainable Enterprises (SUnRISE) Project, the ICPF aims to elevate coconut prices from PhP8-PhP10 to PhP16-PhP18 per kilogram and can process up to 60,000 coconuts daily.
The ICPF will produce six (6) major products: coconut pallets, activated carbon, coconut water, coconut sap, coconut flour and skim milk from coconut meat. This initiative is projected to benefit approximately 66,000 coconut farmers in Misamis Oriental and create around 2,500 jobs, contributing to rural industrialization and economic diversification. “Ito direct employment. Ang upstream at saka ang downstream niyan mas marami pa. Isa ito sa konkretong hakbang patungo sa paglalagay ng industriya sa ating mga kanayunan,” he added.
President Marcos Jr. expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the farmers, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to supporting them as the backbone of the nation’s economy. He also extended appreciation to the First Community Cooperative, the private sector and other stakeholders for their support.
Concluding his remarks, the President urged farmers to nurture and utilize these resources, adopt modern technologies and uphold the dignity of Filipino agriculture. “Hinihikayat ko po kayong pagyamanin at alagaan ang mga handog na ito. Patuloy kayong matuto, gumamit ng makabagong teknolohiya, maging huwarang Bagong Pilipino — magsasakang marunong, may dangal, at may pagmamahal sa ating bansa,” President Marcos Jr. said in closing.
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