In another ceremonial turnover, PHilMech distributed various production and postharvest machinery worth Php15.5 million to nine qualified farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs) on December 3 in the province of Antique.

Beneficiaries from the municipalities of Belison, Hamtic, San Jose, and Tobias Fornier, received four hand tractors, 10 floating tillers, two four-wheel-drive tractors (tier 2), one four-wheel-drive tractor (tier 3), two levee makers, two PTO-driven disc plows, two combine harvesters, and one unit each of a precision rice seeder, walk-behind transplanter, and single-pass rice mill - all from the 2024 budget allocation.

To date, PHilMech has delivered a total of 477 units of rice machinery and equipment to the province, amounting to Php461.8 million.

The mechanization program is expected to assist more Filipino rice farmers towards increase in productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness with its proposed expansion - covering all rice-producing areas in the country.

PHilMech representative Engr. Domingo R. Miranda, assistant chief of Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) led the distribution together with Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, Vice Governor Edgar Denosta, District Representative Congressman Antonio Agapito B. Legarda Jr., DA-RFO VI Regional Executive Chief Engr. Moises Mana-ay, Hamtic Vice Mayor Hon. Julius D. Pacificador, and Provincial Agriculturist Representative Ms. Norlyn Satias.