STA. BARBARA -- The structural and civic works of the modern rice processing complex being constructed at the provincial nursery compound at Barangay Tebag, this town, is now 50 percent complete.
The P160-million fund for the construction of the Integrated Rice Processing Complex (RPC) is a grant to the Provincial Government from the Korean Government through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica).
Last quarter of 2009, Governor Amado Espino Jr. entered into an agreement with Koica and Department of Agriculture (DA).
On May 25, DA Regional Technical Director Cris Bautista updated the Koica representatives led by Mr. Kim Jen Oh as they conducted ocular inspection of the facilities.
Bautista said the complex is expected to be completed in July. Test run of the facilities will be on August. They would inaugurate the plant by September or October.
The integrated RPC will be equipped with state-of-the-art post harvest facilities and serve as one-stop service center for milling, drying, and storing, aside from providing contemporary production technologies to produce high quality rice.
The establishment of the RPC was formulated to improve efficiency in the rice post-production system in this area through reduction of post-harvest losses, enhancement in the quality of milled rice, improvement of the distribution system and maximization of rice by-products.
More than 200,000 farmers in the province are expected to benefit from the said facility.
Based on the Memorandum of Agreement, the Provincial Government's counterpart was the provision of the lot, leveling and raising of the area by 0.6 meter, provision of a three-phase power lines ready for tapping and construction of water system; drainage system and concrete access road.
The DA secured the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and the Regional Development Council Endorsement. It also shouldered the transportation cost of the facility materials from the port to the site and will provide the P20 Million initial start-up capital for the operation of the complex.
During the Koica representatives' visit, the Provincial Government and the DA made known their request for the provision of a generator set capable of running the whole complex, instead of just one that can power the lighting as specified in the MOA.
This is to make sure of the continued operation of the plant even during the typhoon season when power outage is rampant for continuous operation.
Accordingly, the RPC will be jointly owned by the province and the DA. A farmers' organization will be trained to manage the facilities.