THE provincial government of La Union is expecting an increase in rice production with the soon-to-be-constructed P200 million rice processing center in partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA).

Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David said the partnership with NFA is expected to "accelerate rice productivity in the province" with the signing of a Deed of Usufruct between PGLU and NFA on Aug. 7, 2024.

Ortega-David represented the provincial government while Administrator Larry Lacson represented the NFA in the signing of the usufruct agreement which they said "green lights the construction of a P200 million rice processing center by the NFA in a two-hectare PGLU property in Barangay Damortis, Santo Tomas town."

"With the facility's construction, La Union is keen to leverage its rice self-sufficiency status to realize its vision to be the 'Heart of Agri-Tourism' in Northern Luzon by 2025," the governor said.

She also noted that the integrated rice processing center will feature advanced state-of-the-art technologies and facilities such as rice mill, mechanical dryer, 100,000-bag capacity warehouse, generator sets, three-phase power supply, electronic truck scale and a staff house.

The bidding for the project will commence this year, and the construction target is July 2025. Upon completion, the project will be the first NFA-owned rice processing center in the region.

Lacson cited and lauded La Union's rice sufficiency with 152,000 metric tons of rice produced in a year.

"With a production rate of 4.5 metric tons per hectare, the province also surpasses the national production average of four metric tons per hectare," he said.

Lacson also said that the establishment of a government-owned rice processing facility will ensure efficient and sustainable processing of high-quality rice, and spur the growth of the local rice industry.

"This is part of the National Food Authority's plan to boost national food security through modernized processing facilities," he said.

Thanking the NFA for recognizing the province's thrust on local agricultural productivity, Ortega-David said the provincial government "vigorously works with the national government agencies like the NFA in our shared mandate to promote the welfare and interests of our farmers and agricultural workers."

Also noting that the farmers' livelihood is the "lifeblood of our society," the governor said her administration will continue to ensure maximum support to farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.

Ortega-David also noted that through the Palay Marketing Assistance, the provincial government supplements NFA's buying price of palay with a top-up of P5 premium per kilo which is among the highest in the country.

"This fosters trust among rice farmers in engaging directly with the government, thus not only increasing their income but also streamlining the rice value chain," she added.

Ortega-David said the establishment of the rice processing center will also strengthen La Union's strategic position in disaster response.

"As NFA's buffer stock will be housed here in La Union, our provision of relief goods during emergencies and calamities will be faster," the governor said.