Fifty-two qualified Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) from Capiz received 149 units of machinery grants worth Php174.3M under the RCEF Mechanization Program. The machinery turn-over was held in Roxas City, Capiz today benefiting around 8,112 rice farmer-members in the province.
PHilMech Director Baldwin G. Jallorina who graced the ceremony emphasized that the machinery grants distributed are branded, brand new, and of high quality. This is in honor of the relentless efforts of the farmers during the pandemic.
“Bilang pinagpapatupad ng programa, ikinagagalak namin na sabihin na ang mga makinaryang ito ay branded, brand new at high quality. This is our way to honor your efforts sa pagpapakain sa amin sa panahon ng pandemya,” Jallorina said.
He also invited the farmers to thank the authors of the rice tariffication law for making the program possible especially Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, as well as the senators and legislators in the congress who supported the law.
Meanwhile, Roxas City Agriculturist Mary Ann Baria magnified the benefit of mechanization to farmers and the agricultural sector.
“Modernization and mechanization can increase the output of our rice farmers here in the city and consequently improve profit margins. We do not only address food security but also enrich and empower our agricultural sector,” Baria explained.
Capiz Governor Esteban Evan B. Contreras also graced the distribution. He expressed his gratitude to PHilMech for the machinery grants for his province. He also challenged the farmers to organize well their associations in order to become more qualified for the program and receive more grants.
Around 16 municipalities and one city were covered under the combined budget of 2021 funds and the excess of 2019 and 2020 funds from competitive biddings. Municipalities and city include Panay, Pontevedra, Panitan, Roxas City, Pilar, Maayon, President Roxas, Cuartero, Sapian, Sigma, Jamindan, Mambusao, Dumalag, Dao, Ivisan, Dumarao, and Tapaz.
Article by Christine V. Ang