00:00Less waste and greater yield in rice production is projected with 30 more rice processing centers
00:05up and running this year. Even better rice farmers can expect more output with a command
00:10center soon to rise for a more comprehensive and efficient data gathering on production and supply,
00:16plus an expedited protocol and insurance claims from the Philippine Crop Insurance
00:20to help farmers deal with crop ruin when calamities strike in this report.
00:25The Department of Agriculture already built 150 rice processing centers under President
00:33Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr.'s administration.
00:35Since the start of the farmers' administration, we have actually built 150 rice processing centers
00:43all over the Philippines. And this year we're going to be 32 more, and next year we're going to be 30 more,
00:50and so on and so forth.
00:52The DA also announced at the 2025 Sustainable Agricultural Forum yesterday that it plans
00:58to operationalize its command center by the third quarter of 2025.
01:03I'm happy to announce that hopefully by the third quarter of this year the DA will finally
01:09have its command center be completed and operational.
01:13According to DA Secretary Francisco Tullarel Jr., the command center will help monitor,
01:18track, track, supply, and consolidate data on agricultural production, while the Philippine Crop Insurance
01:23Corporation will begin using satellite technology for processing claims of disaster-hit farmers.
01:28If you use satellite technology, sa claims processing, hindi na kailangan pumunta doon aktual.
01:34You know, going there, far-flung area, it takes time.
01:37This can generate satellite imagery to estimate agricultural damage on geotagged farms.
01:42The PCIC also aims to request an additional 1 billion pesos in funding, on top of the current 4.5 billion pesos,
02:08to ensure an additional 600,000 farmers across the country.
02:13Meanwhile, regarding the Mount Bulusan eruption, the DA stated that while no damage has yet been recorded
02:18in the agriculture sector, they remain prepared for any possible impact from volcanic activity.
02:23Hindi natin alam baka biglang lumakas yung eruption na yan, at we are already repositioning as of today
02:31ng mga seeds, fertilizers, in case tamaan.
02:35Sharm Zespina from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
