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

NEWS STORIES

Quezon Province receives Php54.9M worth of RCEF machines, equipment
by Christine V. Ang (October 21, 2024)
In support of Quezon's standing as the Food Basket of Calabarzon, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) awarded Php54.9 million worth of agricultural machines and equipment to its farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs) which are beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, held in Quezon Convention Center, Lucena City, on October 21.

This distribution was part of the RCEF program funded through the Rice Tariffication Law, authored by Senator Cynthia A. Villar.

A total of 18 FCAs received grants including 12 four-wheel drive tractors, 12 PTO-driven disc plows, 10 rice reapers, 11 rice combine harvesters, three recirculating dryers with a 6-ton capacity, and two single-pass rice mills.

These machines are expected to significantly improve rice farmers' productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness by increasing their access to and utilization of advanced production and postproduction mechanization technologies.

PHilMech FMFOD Chief Engr. May Ville B. Castro reported that since 2019, the province has received 1,264 units of various rice machines and equipment, amounting to Php638 million. She believes this will significantly benefit the farming sector of the province.

She also shared that under RCEF 2.0, one of the agency's priorities is addressing the drying needs of farmers, especially during the rainy season.

"I am pleased to share some good news—PHilMech has proposed the inclusion of warehouses and sheds for the dryers in the equipment to be distributed to FCAs as part of RCEF 2.0.,” Castro said.

The event was also attended by officials, including PHilMech FMFOD Luzon C Cluster Head Engr. Niño D. Bengosta, Governor Dr. Angelina D.L. Tan, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Ana Clarissa S. Mariano, Quezon Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Mr. Jan Oliver M. Sarmiento, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar Representative Ms. Honeylet C. Famillaran, and Macalelon Mayor Hon. Artemio A. Mamburao.