Manila, Aug. 19 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. bared a plan to increase the capacity utilization of Rice Processing Systems (RPS) in the country despite concerns about the possible overcapacity in the milling sector.

RPS refers to a set of rice facilities that aim to help boost the income of local palay farmers, funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) following the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

In a statement on Tuesday, he said capacity utilization is "more important" than rated milling capacity.

Tiu Laurel said a higher utilization rate will benefit players within the rice value chain, even the buyers of the country's staple.

"Our target utilization rate is 80 to 85 percent. That's where effi...