The province of Davao Oriental is set to receive a Rice Processing System (RPS) 1 facility under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) and conducting a groundbreaking ceremony today, July 12, 2023 in Lupon, Davao Oriental.

This project is a complementation effort of PHilMech and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lupon which aims to reduce postharvest losses among the farmers’ produce, improve the rice processing system in the province, and make the state-of-the-art facilities in drying and milling to the farmers.

Under RCEF, PHilMech will turn over an Php18 million worth of rice processing facilities which include a one-unit multi-stage rice mill with 1.5 ton/hr capacity and two units of mechanical dryers with 6-ton/batch drying capacity.

The MOA signing was led by the Acting Chief of the Facility Management and Field Operation Division (FMFOD) of PHilMech, Mayville B. Castro; and Mayor Erlinda D. Lim; with Region 11 focal, Ms. Donna Mae P. Gomez; Governor representative, Stephen Paul Uy; and Second District representative, Rochie Ravelo as witnesses.

As of today, the municipality of Lupon has already received Php 41 million worth of various agricultural machinery under the RCEF mechanization program. (FB, DA-PhilMech)