CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) recently awarded some farm machineries amounting to P86.6 million to some 14 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the province.

The distribution, which was held at the VIP Grandstand, Provincial Capitol on February 15, 2023 was led by Gov. Dax Cua and Phillmech interim Director for Operations for RCEF Mechanization Program, Joel Dator. 

The agricultural machinery distribution is under the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program of DA-PhilMech.

Jenifer Joy Joaquin Eniego, provincial focal person for agricultural engineering services said the program which is now on its second year of providing agricultural machineries has already benefited 16 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCA) in the province.

“For 2021, three combine harvester amounting to P5.4 million were given to qualified FCAs. For 2022, 14 qualified FCAs received 14 walk-behind transplanter, one precision rice seeder, two rice combine harvester, one 6T recirculating dryer, three 12T recirculating dryer, five hand tractor and one multi-stage rice mill (4-5tph) with a total amount of P86.6 million.

The recipients are Pusuac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Bannawag Sur FCA, Dumanisi ARB Cooperative, DISADECO, Sinili Irrigators Association, Inc., Tarangao IA Inc. and Maria Clara IA Cooperative, all from Diffun.

Four FCAs in Saguday namely, Centro Kasangga IA, Inc., Tagad-Dibul IA Inc., Pagrang-ayan IA, Inc.’ Santo Tresarda IA Inc. and two from Maddela, namely, Cabaruan Main Extension IA Inc. and Balligui Central IA Inc. were also provided with farm machineries.

Eniego said the qualified FCAs were assessed based on the minimum requirements set by Philmech such as letter of intent, board resolution, RCEF accreditation, financial statement for 2020-2021 certificate of good standing, among others.

“The assessment of documents for 2023 recipients is ongoing for another agricultural machinery distribution for 2023,” Eniego said. (OTB/TCB/PIA Quirino)