Duterte inaugurates PH's most advanced rice processing center, Ormoc Airport
Published Jul 6, 2019 11:02 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos and Marie Marticio
ORMOC CITY - President Duterte stressed the need to utilize the latest technology to help the people have better and productive lives and cope with the fast-paced and highly modernized society.
Duterte made the statement as he led the inauguration of P1.7-billion Chen Yi Agventures (CYA) Rice Processing in Alangalang, Leyte Friday evening.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with some of the distinguished guests after leading the unveiling of the Ormoc City Airport’s marker during its inauguration in Leyte on July 5, 2019. With the President are Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Leyte Fourth District Representative Lucy Gomez, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, and Leyte First District Representative Martin Romualdez. (KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his speech, Duterte said the rice processing center could help Filipino farmers increase their income and ensure the country’s food supply.
"This project is a testament to our commitment to find more ways to actively respond to the various problems and challenges confronting the agricultural industry... that we are taking initiatives to sustain our rice supply and ensure food security for our nation," Duterte said of the only fully integrated and sustainable rice production facility in the Philippines.
"I am hopeful that CYA will be able to help us to continuously propel the agricultural sector forward by providing our farmers with the equipment and technical assistance that they need to produce high quality rice," he added.
The two-hectare complex is the most technologically advanced rice processing center in Southeast Asia, and the largest in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
It uses temperature-controlled silos with a total capacity of 6,000 metric tons for its Phase 1, keeping dried palay in a freshly harvested condition for over a year, and enabling the facility to produce world-class rice.
Duterte also expressed optimism that the program will be able to improve the well-being of Filipino farmers by helping them realize their vital role as drivers of the country's agricultural development.
"I hope that CYA and the local government of Leyte will continue to take further strides in spurring countryside development as well as the others in advancing the rice industry towards more progressive and modern practices," he said.
Meanwhile, Duterte also led the unveiling of the Ormoc City Airport marker with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco.
Tugade shared Duterte refused to inaugurate the airport in May without the presence of Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.
"Sa totoo lang siya (the congresswoman) po ang nangulit sa akin upang ang airport na ito ay bigyang katuparan at bigyang-buhay," he said.
He recalled that the airport runway's length used to be 1.7-km only, but is now two kilometers long.
"Kung noon makikita niyo 'yung runway, sira, tuklap at kapag naglanding ang eroplano...baka magkaroon ng aksidente. Ngayon ho 'yung runway pantay, patas at pwedeng maglanding in confidence and security," he noted.
He added that the terminal can now cater up to 130 passengers and 150 parked cars, and already has its own power generator.
Tugade also vowed to make it a night-rated airport, which can handle evening flights before the end of the President's term.
"This year, we will start the runway widening from 35 to 46 meters," he added.
Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez expressed gratitude for the newly-built airport. "Napakasipag po ng ating secretary sa DOTr, talagang binantayan at tinrabaho na matapos ang airport on-time," he said.
Rep. Gomez also thanked Tugade for bringing another milestone in Ormoc. She added that in her nine years in Congress, the airport terminal only looked like a waiting shed.
"With every yes, may katapat talaga na totoong nangyayari. It may not be the biggest airport terminal in the entire Philippines, but it is ours, and it is beautiful, it is clean and it is new," she shared.
The P34-million rehabilitation project started after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) flattened the city in 2013, and was completed in four months after the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in 2017 through the efforts of the DOTr and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Under the project, the passenger terminal building's total area has been expanded from 150 square meters in 2011 to 1,350 square meters.
On the other hand, the P82-million asphalt overlay of the runway and strip grade correction project has likewise been completed, while the P55-million runway widening project is set to be finished by 2020.
The 37-hectare airport, Principal Class 2 by the CAAP, can cater to at least 1,200 passengers and was able to accommodate 80,244 aircraft operations in 2018.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with some of the distinguished guests after leading the unveiling of the Ormoc City Airport’s marker during its inauguration in Leyte on July 5, 2019. With the President are Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Leyte Fourth District Representative Lucy Gomez, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, and Leyte First District Representative Martin Romualdez. (KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his speech, Duterte said the rice processing center could help Filipino farmers increase their income and ensure the country’s food supply.
"This project is a testament to our commitment to find more ways to actively respond to the various problems and challenges confronting the agricultural industry... that we are taking initiatives to sustain our rice supply and ensure food security for our nation," Duterte said of the only fully integrated and sustainable rice production facility in the Philippines.
"I am hopeful that CYA will be able to help us to continuously propel the agricultural sector forward by providing our farmers with the equipment and technical assistance that they need to produce high quality rice," he added.
The two-hectare complex is the most technologically advanced rice processing center in Southeast Asia, and the largest in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
It uses temperature-controlled silos with a total capacity of 6,000 metric tons for its Phase 1, keeping dried palay in a freshly harvested condition for over a year, and enabling the facility to produce world-class rice.
Duterte also expressed optimism that the program will be able to improve the well-being of Filipino farmers by helping them realize their vital role as drivers of the country's agricultural development.
"I hope that CYA and the local government of Leyte will continue to take further strides in spurring countryside development as well as the others in advancing the rice industry towards more progressive and modern practices," he said.
Meanwhile, Duterte also led the unveiling of the Ormoc City Airport marker with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco.
Tugade shared Duterte refused to inaugurate the airport in May without the presence of Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.
"Sa totoo lang siya (the congresswoman) po ang nangulit sa akin upang ang airport na ito ay bigyang katuparan at bigyang-buhay," he said.
He recalled that the airport runway's length used to be 1.7-km only, but is now two kilometers long.
"Kung noon makikita niyo 'yung runway, sira, tuklap at kapag naglanding ang eroplano...baka magkaroon ng aksidente. Ngayon ho 'yung runway pantay, patas at pwedeng maglanding in confidence and security," he noted.
He added that the terminal can now cater up to 130 passengers and 150 parked cars, and already has its own power generator.
Tugade also vowed to make it a night-rated airport, which can handle evening flights before the end of the President's term.
"This year, we will start the runway widening from 35 to 46 meters," he added.
Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez expressed gratitude for the newly-built airport. "Napakasipag po ng ating secretary sa DOTr, talagang binantayan at tinrabaho na matapos ang airport on-time," he said.
Rep. Gomez also thanked Tugade for bringing another milestone in Ormoc. She added that in her nine years in Congress, the airport terminal only looked like a waiting shed.
"With every yes, may katapat talaga na totoong nangyayari. It may not be the biggest airport terminal in the entire Philippines, but it is ours, and it is beautiful, it is clean and it is new," she shared.
The P34-million rehabilitation project started after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) flattened the city in 2013, and was completed in four months after the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in 2017 through the efforts of the DOTr and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Under the project, the passenger terminal building's total area has been expanded from 150 square meters in 2011 to 1,350 square meters.
On the other hand, the P82-million asphalt overlay of the runway and strip grade correction project has likewise been completed, while the P55-million runway widening project is set to be finished by 2020.
The 37-hectare airport, Principal Class 2 by the CAAP, can cater to at least 1,200 passengers and was able to accommodate 80,244 aircraft operations in 2018.