A TOTAL of 40 Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) received different post-harvest technologies and agricultural machineries from the Provincial Government of Tarlac and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Component in a ceremony held in-front of the Tarlac provincial capitol, January 12.
The distributed farm machineries amounting to P79-million were coursed through the PhilMech (Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization) thru Republic Act 110203 authored and sponsored by Senator Cynthia Villar.
Awarded grants were 22 units of four-wheel drive tractors, three units walk-behind transplanters, six units riding-type transplanters, three units precision seeders, 11 units rice combine harvesters and a unit of single-pass rice mill.
In her message of Governor Susan Yap thanked the DA, RCEF, PhilMech and Senator Villar for their continued support for the farmers of the province.
“I have seen the smiles in every farmer present here today and for that I thank Senator Cynthia Villar, DA, RCEF and PhilMech because no one will go home empty handed,” she said.
The governor added, “So sa inyo po sa aking mga minamahal na cooperatives and farmers eh maganda ang balita kasi ang Tarlac—top 10 sa rice produce province, kaya nabigyan tayo ng pansin ni Secretary (Francisco) Laurel. I know he wanted to be here today, pero marami pang asikasuhin, marami syang ipinangako and I am very glad for everything.”
FCA beneficiaries from the first district were the Saint Joseph the Worker Farmers Association Inc., Tambungan Farmers Association, Bilad Farmers and Irrigators Association, Camangaan West Landowners and Farmers Irrigators Association Inc., Acocolao Agri-Farmers Association, Samput Farmers Association Inc., DapDap Paniqui Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Mannalon Nga Nauros Ti Pura Farmers Association Inc., Pura Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (PFAC), Farmers Irrigators Association Pob. 2 Pura Tarlac Inc., Bakara Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (BFAC), Julo Farmers Agricultural Cooperative, Bamban Farmers and Livestock Association (San Clemente), Doclong 1st Farmers Association, Barangay Mamonit-Mayantoc Farmers Association Inc. and Sitio Matinong Farmers Association.
Second district beneficiaries were the Santiago Nagkakaisa Agriculture Cooperative, Abagon Compact Farm and Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Santiago Gerona Planters Association Inc., Tagumbao Farmers Association, Association of Hradworking Farmers of San Jose, David Communal Irrigators Association Inc., OFW Family Circle Sitio Sta. Cruz Iba San Jose Tarlac, Tricul Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Amucao East Farmer Irrigators Association Inc., Ginintuang Butil Farmers Association, Balibago Baculong Farmer Irrigators Association Inc. and Galing sa Lupa Producers Cooperative.
Bamban Agricultural Farmers Association, Lucky 9 Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, One Binyayan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Bagong Henerasyong Magsasaka Inc., Sta. Rosa Concepcion Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Concepcion Seed Growers Producers Cooperative, Kaunlaran ng mga Magsasaka Agriculture Cooperative, Mapalad Farmers Field School Agriculture Cooperative, Caut Farmers Field School Marketing Cooperative, Comillas Farmers Field School Agriculture Cooperative and Macalong Farmers Agriculture Cooperative in the third district.
Vice Governor Carlito David, Board Members Joy Gilbert Lamorena, Henry Cruz and Harmes Sembrano, PhilMech Director IV Dionisio Alvindia, Director III Joel Dator, FMFOD Acting Chiel May Ville Castro, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III Executive Director Crispulo Bautista, Villar-Sipag and Senator Villar’s representative Mabel Esguerra were likewise present during the turn-over ceremonies.
