Machinery distributed in Zamboanga del Sur
A total of 72 total units of farm machinery with a total worth of Php126,281,900.00 have been distributed to 47 qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCA) held in Dao, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on March 1, 2023. 
Farmer members from the 27 cities/municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur will benefit from the machinery distributed under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, utilizing the funds from 2021 and 2022.
These farm machines include 25 units of Rice Combine Harvester, 24 units of walk-behind transplanter, 7 mobile rice mills, 5 units of multi-stage rice mills (1.5 tph), 5 units of floating tiller, 3 units of hand tractors, and 3 units of recirculating dryer (6 and 12 tons).
The program covers the rice-producing municipalities and cities in the province including Labangan, Ramon Magsaysay, Aurora, Molave, Mahayag, Tambulig, Dumingag, Sominot, Dumalinao, Guipos, Tigbao, Lake Wood, Bayog, Dimataling, and Tukuran, including the Pagadian City Local Government, MLGU of Dimataling, MLGU Mahayag, and MLGU Sominot.
The ceremony started with the blessing of machines, and the ceremonial ribbon cutting. It was followed by the messages of the guests and the awarding of certificates to the FCA beneficiaries.
Representative Robert Christian C. Villacura, on behalf of Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor J. Yu, and acting chief of the Facility Management and Field Operations Division of PHilMech, Engr. May Ville B. Castro, graced the ceremonial turnover, along with the other government officials and partner agencies in the province.
In his message to the farmers, Governor Yu cited the advantages of using the machines.
“Alam kong masaya kayo ngayong araw na maka-receive ng mga makinaryang ito. Naniniwala makatutulong ng lubos sa inyo ang mga ito in terms of production. As I’ve always said, meron kaming sakahan sa Molave at noong mano-mano pa ang nag naghaharvest ay nasa 58 bags ito, pero nung gumamit na ng rice combine harvester ay naging 95 bags na dahil wala nang nasasayang kahit kaunti,” Governor Yu explained.
“Nasa inyong kamay na ngayon kung paano ninyo iingatan, kung paano ninyo ima-maxinize para maka tulong sa inyong samahan. Sana ay huwag sayangin dahil sa inyo na ang mga gamit na yan,” he added.
Some FCAs beneficiaries have also extended their gratitude during the turnover ceremony.
“Walang humpay ang pasasalamat ko dahil ito ang aming first time na makatanggap ng machinery na makatutulong sa aming kooperatiba, sa mga kasamahan namin at karatig-lugar na may mga sakahan. Sa PHilMech maraming salamat sa inyo, dahil tinulungan ninyo kami na makatanggap ng ganitong machinery,” said Mr. Hisam M. Dagadas, DARBCO chairperson.
“Napakalaki ng aming kasiyahan, dahil tatlong unit ang ibinigay sa amin ng PHilMech, ito ay aming aalagaan at sana ay makatulong ito sa aming mga miyembro. Galing sa amin sa Baclay MPC ay ipinapaabot namin ang malaking pasasalamat sa PHilMech, sa DA at sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na nakapagbigay ng malaking tulong sa amin,” said Ms. Minda A. Lariba, chairperson of the Baclay MPC.
The provincial turnover and agricultural machinery distribution were spearheaded by the Mindanao A Cluster of PHilMech headed by Engr. Edgar B. Testa. (Judy Ann Golez, FB, DA-PhilMech, March 12, 2023)
