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

NEWS STORIES

Ilocos Sur receives Php32.49M worth of RCEF machines, facilities
by Jhian Chrissie A-lea-son G. Padilla (October 28, 2024)
With the primary objective to boost rice productivity, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) through its RCEF Mechanization Program, officially distributed a total of 38 rice machinery and equipment worth Php32.49 million to the 24 Farmers' Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) and Local Government Unit (LGUs) beneficiaries today, at Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

The province received 3 four-wheel drive tractors, 15 PTO disc plows, 8 levee makers, 2 precision rice seeders, 7 combine harvesters, 1 recirculating dryer (6T) and 2 single-pass rice mills.

Covering the fund resources of the RCEF Mechanization Program from 2019-2024, Ilocos Sur has been granted a total of 556 units of various rice production and post-production facilities amounting to Php317.15 million, benefitting 116 FCAs and LGUs.

"Ang ating probinsiya ng Ilocos Sur ay may 34 na munisipyo at siyudad, pero sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon lamang 12 [FCAs] ang nakapaloob sa programa [RCEF Mechanization Program]. Ngunit sa magiging extension ng batas, ang lahat ng munisipyo at siyudad na mayroong produksyon ng palay ay isasama na rin sa mabibigyan ng libreng makinarya," said Engr. Domingo R. Miranda, supervising SRS of the Facility Management and Field Operation Division (FMFOD).

Engr. Miranda also delivered the message in behalf of PHilMech Director Dionisio G. Alvindia, "Naging instrumento po kami upang maipahatid sainyo ang mga makinaryang magiging susi upang mas maging competitive tayo sa ating pagsasaka."

Local government officials including Hon. Efren A. Rafanan; 1st District Cong. Ronald V. Singson; Gov. Jeremias C. Singson; Engr. Mark Pastor, representative of the Regional Executive Director DA-RFO I; and representatives from the Office of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar attended the ceremonial turnover.