Marcos Opens Grain Terminal in Batangas

President Marcos yesterday led the inauguration of a P278.3-million grain terminal in Batangas City, which will consolidate the supply of corn and lower the prices of poultry and livestock products in the Southern Tagalog Region.

- BELLA CARIASO

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the grain terminal is funded by a P100-million loan from the World Bank with cash and in-kind counterpart funding of P178.3 million from the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Rural Development Project and the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC).

He added that the grain terminal enhances the existing feed mill of SIDC by integrating a silo operation with a capacity of 12,000 metric tons.

"This new grain terminal is set to become a central hub for the yellow corn used predominantly in the production of animal feed. With the ability to scale up national corn production, the project is poised to temper rising input costs, benefiting hog and poultry farmers as well as corn producers. In total, it is estimated that 567 yellow corn farmers, hog raisers and poultry farmers will directly benefit from the project," Tiu Laurel said.

"This new grain terminal and trading hub will not only put more money in our farmers' pockets but will lower the cost of producing poultry and hogs, helping ensure a stable supply and affordable food prices for many Filipino consumers," he added.