Rizal: The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) and the provincial government of Kalinga have initiated planning for a food hub on a 50-hectare property in Rizal town. This facility will include a modern rice warehouse equipped with a silo and mechanical dryer, as announced by Governor James Edduba.

According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Edduba stated that the payment for the property will be completed this year, enabled by the final allocation approved in the province's annual budget for 2026. The property acquisition began in 2023 with funds pooled from board members, the governor's office, and the annual investment fund. Already, the land is being utilized for an animal breeding station, with plans to expand its use for food storage and processing, as well as commercial structures for food trading.

The proposal for the food hub comes after Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel's visit on May 22, where he sanctioned an additional National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Rizal. Governor Edduba highlighted the need for a separate facility dedicated to Kalinga produce, as the current NFA warehouse in Tabuk City, with a capacity of 138,000 bags, also serves Region 2 and has temporarily halted rice purchases due to storage constraints.

The new warehouse will be equipped with a silo capable of storing palay for a year without issues like mold or insect infestation and a mechanical dryer to ensure rice is not undervalued due to insufficient dryness. The province has allocated PHP30 million for site development to ensure the food hub is ready once DA advances with its establishment.