The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) distributed P317.7 million worth of farm machines to 150 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) during the machinery turn-over in PHilMech main office, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, on Friday.
This is part of the ongoing distribution of farm machines nationwide by PHilMech under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program.
“We were able to distribute nationwide 14,838 units of various farm machines and facilities under the 2019 and 2020 funds of the RCEF-Mechanization Program. Besides this, we were able to add 932 units of various machines from the excess funds generated through competitive bidding,” said PHilMech Executive Director Baldwin G. Jallorina.
The farm machines costing a total of P317.7 million that were distributed in Nueva Ecija consisted of 80 four-wheel tractors; 30 hand tractors; 1 PTO Drive Disc Plow; 1 Precision Seeder; 3 Walk-Behind Transplanter; 7 Riding Type Transplanter; 98 Combine Harvester; 1 Single Pass Rice Mill; and 2 Multi-Pass Rice Mill.
Director Jallorina urged the recipients of the farm machines to take good care of them so they could be used by the next generation of farmers.
“My request or plea to all of you is to take good care of the machines given to you also for the next generation–the youth–so they will also gain the enthusiasm and become farmers for the future of our country,” he added.
The PHilMech director also reiterated that under the RCEF-Mechanization Program, all the farm machines distributed are for free and warned of those who attempt to collect “application and processing fees” from FCAs. He clarified that the agency does not collect such fees and any incidence of such be reported to PHilMech.
“Amid our efforts to implement the program free of corruption, there are many people taking advantage of the program. There are those who ask for ‘application and processing fees’ from FCAs. And I would like to reiterate that we have not authorized anyone to ask for such fees or any payment for the machines given under the RCEF-Mechanization Program. And let us remember ‘Basta Makinaryang RCEF, Libre’,” he added.
Article by PHilMech Communications Group