Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

Iloilo farmers receive Php52M machinery grant
by April Kate A. Alingasa (February 7, 2023)
Each of the 30 qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the province of Iloilo received a unit of rice combine harvester with a total cost of 52 million pesos under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program during the provincial machinery turnover held on February 7 at the Banate Eco Park, Banate, Iloilo.

The local government of Banate, Iloilo led by Hon. Peter Paul T. Gonzales was supportive of PHilMech, the lead implementing agency of the program, in delivering the free machines to its recipients as they host the said event.

Meanwhile, Mr. Joel V. Dator, the Interim Director of PHilMech for Operations, represented PHilMech Director IV Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia during the ceremony. He mentioned how this six-year program has become both an honor and a challenge to the agency.

“Isa pong karangalan at hamon sa aming ahensya, ang trabahong ito na ipinagkatiwala sa amin ng ating pamahalaan. Karangalan dahil naging instrumento po kami upang maihatid sa inyo ang mga makinaryang magiging susi upang mas maging competitive tayo sa ating pagsasaka. At hamon din naman dahil maliban sa laki ng ating programa, nais naming ang mga pinakabago, pinaka magaganda, branded, at tunay na mapakikinabangan lamang na makinarya ang umabot sa inyong mga samahan,” Dator said.

Various government officials and representatives also graced during the event.