The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking to accelerate the development of additional rice processing systems (RPS) nationwide to improve post-harvest efficiency and support the National Food Authority (NFA), whose milling and drying capacity has declined following the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the need for optimal capacity utilization, targeting an 80–85 percent rate to ensure cost-efficiency and equitable gains for farmers, millers, and consumers. He warned that underutilization could lead to losses, while pushing toward full capacity might indicate monopolistic conditions.
The DA plans to balance investment between post-harvest facilities and production equipment, with Secretary Tiu Laurel stressing a strategy of smart utilization over unchecked expansion to avoid idle infrastructure and protect farmer incomes.
As of August 2025, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) has completed 116 out of a targeted 151 RPS units funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), along with distributing over 1,000 smaller mills and 500 recirculating dryers. The remaining 29 RPS units are scheduled for completion by year-end.
The initiative reflects a broader policy push for modernization and food security, while addressing gaps left by RTL reforms.
