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

NEWS STORIES

PHilMech distributes almost P2 billion worth of farm machines in first quarter
by PHilMech Strategic Communications Group (April 4, 2024)
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) has distributed P1.998 billion worth of agricultural equipment in the first quarter of this year.

PHilMech Director IV and Scientist IV Dr. Dionisio Alvindia said that collectively, more than 500 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) benefited from the distribution of the various agricultural equipment, ranging from four-wheel tractors to milling and drying facilities.

He added that PHilMech also conducted the training necessary to capacitate the FCAs on the operation and maintenance of the agricultural equipment they got at no cost under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program.

“The P1.998 billion worth of agricultural equipment distributed in the first quarter of this year is part of the P24.9 billion that PHilMech has obligated under the RCEF-Mechanization Program, and we at PHilMech intend to complete the distribution of farm machines worth P30 billion as stipulated under the Republic Act (RA) 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law,” Director Alvindia said.

“And our motto remains: ‘Hatid ng PHilMech ang Modernong Pagsasaka para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

Among the distribution activities that had the largest amount of agricultural equipment distributed in the said period are:

  • Palawan on February 6 with P280 million worth of agricultural equipment distributed to 50 FCAs

  • South Cotabato on February 10 with P225 million worth of farm machines distributed to 26 FCAs

  • Pampanga on January 11 with P126 million worth of agricultural equipment benefiting 54 FCAs

  • Sorsogon on February 16 with P92 million worth of agricultural equipment distributed to 22 FCAs

  • Surigao del Sur on March 1 with P89 million worth of agricultural equipment distributed to 45 FCAs


  • Director Alvindia also thanked the concerned local officials and Congressional representatives for helping facilitate the distribution of the agricultural equipment in their areas of jurisdiction.

    “Without the valuable contributions of the concerned local officials and the Congressional representatives in the areas where PHilMech distributed the agricultural equipment, we at PHilMech would have faced numerous difficulties and challenges. But with their valuable contributions, PHilMech has made great strides in the distribution of agricultural equipment nationwide under the RCEF-Mechanization Program,” he added.

    Under RA 11203, PHilMech gets P5 billion annually from 2019 to 2024 to distribute various agricultural equipment to qualified FCAs and LGUs. The P5 billion is sourced from tariffs applied on rice imports and is channeled to a fund called the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. All the agricultural equipment distributed by PHilMech under the RCEF-Mechanization Program are in-kind or grants or are at no cost to qualified beneficiaries nationwide.