by Gloria Lourdes S. Parreñas
Pototan, Iloilo— A turn-over ceremony of the Modern Integrated Rice Processing Complex (RPC) located in Brgy. Amamaros, Pototan, Iloilo took place last week. This multi-million peso project is a grant from the Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The RPC is one of the biggest KOICA grants to the Philippines, considering that the agriculture sector is one of the organization’s priority areas of cooperation in the Philippines. Through the collaborative efforts of KOICA and the Department of Agri-culture, the Province of Iloilo and the Municipality of Pototan, the RPC was completed on December 31, 2011, on time for the one-year timetable allotted for its construction and completion.
His Excellency, Lee Hye Min, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, turned-over the KOICA-RPC facility which DA Secretary, Hon. Proceso J. Alcala accepted. The turn over ceremony was a VIP-studded event which guests’ list included KOICA Resident Representative Hon. Kim Jinoh, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Iloilo Province Governor Arthur D. Defensor Sr., Cong. Arthur R. Defensor, Jr., and other DA officials
and dignitaries.
This RPC project is intended to improve the efficiency of rice production, storage, drying, and processing system. It is a means to reduce postharvest losses and improve the quality of rice. The main goal of the project is to increase the income of rice farmers and contribute in achieving rice self-sufficiency in the Philippines by 2013.
It is believed that the RPC will greatly enhance the status of the Province of Iloilo as one of the top rice producing provinces in the Philippines. The project symbolizes the flourishing partnership between the DA and KOICA. /MP
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