Dr. Baldwin G. Jallorina, PHilMech director, leads the regional RCEF machinery distribution in Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization on August 13, 2020 held at the Abuyog Experimental Station, Balinsasayaw, Abuyog, Leyte.

Despite the scare of the virus Director Jallorina was able to personally turn-over, with the PHilMech team, an estimated of P190-M worth of agricultural machines to qualified 47 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the region. This is only part of the 2019 P2-B budget of RCEF Mechanization Program for Region VIII.

He encouraged the FCAs to fully utilize and carefully maintain the machines to benefit not just the current members of the organization but the next generation farmers. He emphasized that with the RCEF Mechanization Program, it is expected to lessen the production cost and curb postharvest losses which will lead to increased profits.

Here is the list of machinery grants received by the FCAs in region 8: 40 units of four-wheel drive tractor, 99 units of hand tractor, 83 units of floating tiller, 5 units of rice precision seeder, 32 units of combine harvester, 21 units of walk-behind mechanical rice transplanter, 17 units of riding-type mechanical rice transplanter, 14 units of rice reaper, 14 units of mini thresher and 8 rice mills.

These machines will directly benefit 4,800 rice farmers in the region who belong to the different FCAs.

Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez, CESO III, was present during the regional turn-over together with the different local government unit heads and officials.

Article by Jett Molech G. Subaba