MANILA, Oct. 16 -- The Japanese government allocated 1.7 billion yen (approximately PHP652 million) to establish a rice processing system in Cauayan, Isabela, the Japanese Embassy in Manila announced on Thursday.

The governments of the Philippines and Japan formalized the partnership through the signing and exchange of notes between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Embassy Charge d'affaires ad interim Ono Sho during a ceremony held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Oct. 16.

The embassy said the initiative will help enhance the agricultural capabilities of the country by reducing post-harvest losses, promoting a more efficient rice value chain.

It will also support the National Food Authority (NFA) in fulfill...