5th RCEF Machinery Distribution in Tarlac

Qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) from Tarlac have recently been awarded more than Php79 million worth of agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities, courtesy of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Mechanization Program.

During the awarding, which was held at the provincial capitol of Tarlac this January 12, 40 FCA and LGU beneficiaries were awarded grants that include two units of hand tractors, 22 units of four-wheel-drive tractors, three units of walk-behind transplanters, six units of riding-type transplanters, three units of precision seeders, 11 units of rice combine harvesters, and one unit of a single-pass rice mill.

PHilMech Dir. IV Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia led the event, encouraging the beneficiaries to take good care of the granted machines, emphasizing their significance.

Present during the event from PHilMech were Dir. III Joel V. Dator, FMFOD Acting Chief May Ville B. Castro; Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office III Executive Dir. Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr.; Villar SIPAG Representative Mabel Esguerra; Tarlac Gov. Susan A. Yap; Vice Gov. Carlito S. David; 1st District Board Member Hon. Gilbert Joy R. Lamorena; 2nd District Board Member Hon. Harmes S. Sembrano; and 3rd District Board Member Hon. Henry Cruz. Other delegates from PHilMech, DA-RFO III, local government units of Tarlac, and other offices were also present to show support for the program and its beneficiaries.

Since RCEF’s implementation in 2019, a total of 218 FCA and LGU beneficiaries have already benefited from the 431 units of various agricultural and postharvest facilities awarded in Tarlac, providing the province with more than Php400 million in assistance.

(FB, DA-PHilMech, January 12, 2024)