The Municipality of Manolo Fortich celebrated a significant milestone with the turn over of the fifth warehouse with multi-purpose dryer (MPDP) from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) on January 30, 2024.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manolo Fortich welcomed this latest addition to their agricultural infrastructure which is situated in Sitio Cebukawan and Barangay Lunocan and promises to be a game-changer for local farmers in facilitating post-harvest processes and enhancing the quality of agricultural produce.

DA-PRDP 10 Deputy Project Director, Carlota S. Madriaga, emphasized the significance of the project for Manolo Fortich which is considered a cradle for vast agricultural potential due to their fertile soils and lush landscapes.

“With large areas dedicated to agriculture, it is indeed ideal to have a warehouse with MPDP in place here,” Madriaga said. “This will help our farmers have access to post-harvest facilities that will maintain and improve the quality of their produce, thus increasing their income.”

For Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, the initiative represents a continuation of the fruitful partnership between the municipality and DA-PRDP.

“We have already received various subprojects from DA-PRDP and we hope we can continue to avail of more projects that will bring progress to our farmers,” remarked Mayor Quiño, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support.

The sentiment was also echoed by Charles A. Relosa, the son of the lot owner and also one of the beneficiaries of the project. Relosa conveyed his heartfelt appreciation for the subproject’s potential to uplift the lives of farmers in Cebukawan.

“Having the facility close to our production area will be beneficial to us farmers,” Relosa said. “We don’t have to travel to other places to dry our produce so we can already save hauling costs, and for that we are thankful.”

The Php 4.6 million warehouse with MPDP was constructed to support corn and cassava farmers in the area. The construction of similar infrastructure subprojects is underway in other barangays in Manolo Fortich in Sto. Niño, Kalugmanan, Mambatangan, and Minsuro.

DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado commended the LGU of Manolo Fortich for continuing to stay true to their goal of helping uplift the lives of their farmers by proposing numerous subprojects under DA-PRDP.

“Manolo Fortich already has a total of eight completed subprojects under DA-PRDP, ranging from farm-to-market roads to warehouses with MPDPs, and these are all situated in areas where they are really needed,” said Collado. “Rest assured, we will continue to assist Manolo Fortich as they bring development to the agriculture sector, helping the farmers achieve better lives”

For farmers and residents of Manolo Fortich, the fifth Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement symbolizes a beacon of hope for the agricultural community, bridging the gap between potential and progress, and touching lives with each harvest season.