Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

PHilMech prepares RPC Iloilo Management Team
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran (October 28, 2011)
In preparation for the opening of the Rice Processing Complex (RPC) in Pototan, Iloilo, PHilMech is presently conducting a month-long training on the operation and management of the modern rice milling facility in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.


The Technology Management and Training Division of PHilMech started the training course last October 18, aiming to strengthen the managerial and technical capabilities of the 11 would-be management of the RPC.


The 11 trainees were selected among the more than 50 applicants for the management team of the processing complex. The team has diverse expertise which includes agriculture, accountancy, mechanical engineering, and agricultural engineering.


A total of six modules will be discussed by the pool of subject matter specialists from PHilMech, Central Luzon State University, National Food Authority, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Department of Trade and Industry, Food Development Center, and private millers and traders.


The course employed a combination of learning strategies like lecture-discussion, hands-on and laboratory exercises, case studies, field visits, business planning and on-the-job training. It is expected to be finished on November 18, 2011.


The Rice Processing Complex is a project of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Department of Agriculture. It houses modern facilities for rice off-farm operations such as drying, milling, packaging, and storage.


With the modern facilities, an increase in the milling recovery of 5 percent is expected. This is approximately 260 tons of milled rice annually.


The construction of RPC Iloilo was started last February 17 in a one-hectare land in Brgy. Amamaro, Pototan. The opening of the state-of-the-art facility is scheduled early December this year.