On 19 October 2021, 96 Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) receive another batch of machinery grant under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program during the ceremonial turn-over held in Malolos, Bulacan.
These machinery grants amount to Php85.6M coming from the 2019 excess funds (Php3.2M) and the 2021 funds (Php82.4M).
Machinery grant given to FCAs include 26 units of Four-Wheel Drive Tractor, 18 units of Rice Combine Harvester, five units Hand Tractor, one unit of PTO Driven Disc Plow/Harrow, three units of Riding Type Transplanter, two units of Rice Reaper, two units of Axial Flow Thresher, and five units of Recirculating Dryer.
The local government of Bulacan led by Governor Daniel R. Fernando and the recipients of the machines in the province expressed their gratitude to DA-PHilMech, the Department of Agriculture, and to Senator Cynthia A. Villar for the machines they received from the Program.
Gov. Fernando believes that these machines are instrumental in bringing ease to farmers, lessen their production cost and increase their profit.
“Malaki ang maitutulong ng mga makinaryang ito sa pagpapagaan ng trabaho ng mga magsasakang Bulakenyo.
Hikayatin po natin ang iba pang mga magsasaka sa paggamit ng mga makabagong makinarya upang mapababa ang gastos at lumaki ang kita,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Don David Julian, chief of the Food Protection Division of PHilMech represented PHilMech Director Baldwin G. Jallorina.
He emphasized to the FCAs that these machinery are free and PHilMech is not authorizing anybody to collect fees from the application to the delivery of machines.
“Nais ko pong ipabatid sa inyo na wala po kaming pinapayagan na sinuman upang maningil sa inyo ng kahit anong bayarin para sa mga makinaryang ito. Tandaan po natin, ‘Basta Makinaryang RCEF, Libre.’ Ipagbigay alam po ninyo sa amin kung mayroong mga ganitong umiikot sa ating probinsya,” Mr. Julian said.
Regional Executive Director Crispulo Bautista Jr. of the DA-RFO III and other local legislators also graced the event. (DA-PHilMech)
