KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. handed over P115.3 million worth of national government support to South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. Wednesday to be used for the Consolidated Rice Production and Mechanization Program (CRPMP) of the provincial government. 

President Marcos Jr. visited South Cotabato, particularly Barangay Liwanay, Banga, on June 14 to lead the launching of the CRPMP. 

CRPMP is an initiative of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato geared towards fulfilling PBBM’s commitment to the Filipino people to liberate farmers from poverty, lower the price of rice, and attain self-sufficiency. 

Under the program, at least 50 hectares of small rice farms are put together into a rice production block managed by farmer cooperatives. Five of these production blocks, or at least 1,000 hectares, are then combined to form a consolidated farm. 

“Since these consolidated farms are too wide, it is necessary for these farms to be operated as corporation under the provincial government,” Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said. 

“This program aims to increase production; second, increase income of farmers; and third, reduce the price of rice,” Tamayo said. 

Tamayo added that the program will also help attain food security with the project's integrated rice processing center component. 

At present, 1,400 hectares of small rice holdings have already been consolidated under the CRPMP. 

CRMP’s production side is complemented by the Integrated Rice Processing Center, which will be built on a 4.1-hectare lot in Barangay Liwanay, Banga, with facilities for mechanized drying, storage, and milling. 

Its silo is capable of storing mechanically dried fresh palay for six months to one year without affecting the moisture content of the palay or the quality of premium milled rice. 

During his visit here, President Marcos turned over to Gov. Tamayo a certificate indicating P115,31,860 support for the CRPMP. 

Information gathered from the Department of Agriculture indicated that the initial subsidy to the project consisted of P52.5 million from the National Rice Program, which includes P18 million for the construction of a warehouse; P5 million for the hauling truck component of RPC II; 1,350 bags of wet and dry season hybrid seeds valued at P6.75 million; and 6,750 bags of fertilizer component of wet and dry season hybrid seeds worth P22.78 million.

Meanwhile, the President handed to the provincial LGU P61 million for a Rice Processing Center II and P1.5 million for a precision rice seeder via the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

South Cotabato also received from PBBM through PhilRice 5,945 bags of various inbred rice varieties and 500 pieces of IEC materials with a combined worth of P225,910. 

After the event in Barangay Liwanay, the president proceeded to the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal City to distribute nearly P400 million worth of government assistance to local government units, farmers cooperatives and associations, women’s groups, overseas Filipino workers, displaced and disadvantaged workers, individuals in crisis situations, and indigents. (PIA SOCCSKSARGEN)