The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan Shared Processing Facility implemented by the DA-PHilMech have distributed around Php105 million worth of rice production machines, postharvest facilities, and coconut processing facilities in the province Ilocos Norte, today, December 1, 2023, in Laoag City.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, and PHilMech Director Dionisio G. Alvindia led the turnover and awarding ceremony of the two big agency programs.
Sec. Kiko challenged the recipients of the machines to be diligent in properly utilizing and maintaining the machines for longer years of service. He also lauded PHilMech for its continuous effort in distributing the machines to the province’s rice and coconut-based farmers’ cooperatives and associations.
“Binabati ko ang PHilMech sa tuloy-tuloy nilang pagpapamahagi ng mga makinaryan at pasilidad sa abot ng kanilang makakaya. Nagpapatunay lang na sila ay tapat sa paglilingkod sa ating mga magsasaka,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alvindia highlighted how the machines to be distributed and its implements can also help improve the farmers’ farm production operations other than rice.
“Ganyan po kami sa PHilMech iniisip po namin kung ano ang nararapat at magandang ipamigay sa mga mahal nating mga magsasaka para ang kanilang productivity at pagsasaka ay lalo pa nating mapaunlad, Director Alvindia emphasized,” said Director Alvindia.
Governor Manotoc emphasized how the coconut processing facilities given to the farmers are very appropriate since it was identified as one of the priority commodities of the province for processing. He also underscored the importance of their partnership with PHilMech and the role of mechanization in their province.
“We hope for a continued friendship and partnership with PHilMech, we are very grateful for you. We know that mechanization technologies are the keys to improving our yield and efficiency dito sa Ilocos Norte,” Governor Manotoc emphasized.
Moreover, one of the recipients perceived PHilMech interventions as a key to improving their business and transforming their lives and communities.
“Buong puso po kaming nagpapasalamat dahil magiging malaking tulong po ito sa amin. Sa pagkakaroon po ng mga pasilidad na ito, magiging mas mabilis at mas marami na po ang aming magagawa. This will not only change the way we do business but it will also transform the lives of our coconut farmers and our community,” said Ms. Elizabeth Benemerito, chairperson of Del Mar Shell Craft Multipurpose Cooperative.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and principal author of the Rice Tariffication Law, expressed her support for the farmers through a video message.
Around Php73.5 million worth of RCEF machinery grants and Php26.8 million worth of shared processing facilities were distributed to the province. As of today, Ilocos Norte has already received Php532.5 million worth of RCEF machines since 2019.
(FB, DA-PHilMech, MDGutierrez, December 1, 2023)