President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday, January 19, inspected the recently completed P94.8 million rice processing facility of the Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative, underscoring the government’s push to modernize agriculture and raise farmer incomes in one of the Visayas’ key rice-producing provinces.
The Rice Processing System (RPS), located in Barangay Poblacion 5, Hamtic, was constructed by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) and funded through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Designed to reduce post-harvest losses and improve milling efficiency, the facility is expected to increase recovery rates and improve rice quality, allowing farmers to capture better market prices.
“This investment gives our rices farmers here in Antique the tools to be more productive and improve their lives, while supporting the Marcos administation’s determined push for national food security,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that mechanization and post-harvest facilities are critical to lowering costs and boosting farm profitability.
The RPS includes a multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of two to three tons per hour valued at P54.7 million, two mechanical dryers capable of handling six tons per batch worth P6.18 million. The DA National Rice Program funded the warehouse and operations building costing P25.9 million and additional equipment package of hauling truck, forklift, weighing scale, and moisture meter, bringing total project costs close to P95 million.
Beyond the rice facility, the visit featured the distribution of wide-ranging assistance to farmers and fisherfolk across Antique. The Department of Agriculture released financial assistance and insurance claim checks through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to rice farmers from Hamtic and San Jose de Buenavista, helping them recover from crop losses caused by weather-related disruptions. Selected beneficiaries received ceremonial check handovers from the President.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also turned over Php770,000 worth of 11 units of 20-foot Fiberglass Plastic-Reinforced (FRP) boats with marine engines and accessories., to fisherfolk beneficiaries, strengthening livelihoods in coastal and maritime communities. In addition, multiple farmer and producer groups received agricultural machinery, including four-wheel tractors and rice combine harvesters, to support land preparation and harvesting.
Support extended to livestock and poultry development, with multiplier farms for cattle, carabao, native pigs, goats, chickens, and ducks established under the Department of Agriculture’s LEED Program. Several cooperatives were also awarded photovoltaic solar power systems to reduce energy costs and improve the sustainability of farm operations.
The package of interventions reflects a value-chain approach—combining production, post-harvest, mechanization, and energy efficiency—to raise farm incomes and strengthen food security. For Antique’s farming communities, the support marks a tangible step toward more resilient, competitive, and profitable agriculture.
