Agriculture
IBON MPC Sets National Benchmark with New ₱500M State-of-the-Art Rice Processing Facility
NUMANCIA, Aklan — The Integrated Barangays of Numancia Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IBON MPC) earned wide praise from key agricultural agencies for setting a benchmark among large cooperatives nationwide, marked by the formal handover of a P500 million modern rice processing facility on September 10 at Barangay Tabangka here.
The state-of-the-art facility, designed to streamline postharvest operations and assist local farmers during harvest, is equipped with advanced drying and milling technology aimed at reducing postharvest losses and improving crop quality.
Representatives from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas (DA-RFO VI), the Cooperative Development Authority-Western Visayas (CDA-RFO VI), and Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Alexys T. Apolonio of the Aklan Provincial Agriculture Office commended IBON MPC for its exemplary operations and leadership within the country’s large cooperative category.
Key government leaders in attendance included DA Regional Executive Director Dennis R. Arpia, PHilMech Director IV Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia, and the local government of Numancia.
Addressing the assembly, Arnulfo T. Magcope, General Manager of IBON MPC, delivered a formal message of commitment, pledging full dedication to maximizing the facility’s impact.
”We assure our partner agencies and our farming community that IBON MPC will maintain the sustainability of this government-provided facility,” Magcope said. “Our priority is to ensure that every farmer in our coverage benefits directly from this modern technology, raising their productivity and income.”
The project, turned over under the government’s agricultural modernization push, is expected to serve as a vital central processing hub for rice farmers across Aklan and neighboring areas in Western Visayas.
