SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ (PIA) — The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is calling on farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) to avail programs under the mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which now covers all 78 rice-producing provinces in the country.
This renewed call aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he underscored the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity.
“Libo-libo ring makinarya at pasilidad ang ating binuksan at pinamigay para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Marami po tayong ipapatayo na Rice Processing System,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos reaffirmed that all these initiatives aim to support farmers from land preparation to planting, harvesting, transport, and marketing.
PHilMech Director Joel Dator encouraged FCAs that have not yet benefited from the RCEF Mechanization Program to coordinate with their respective Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices.
“Everyone is qualified to apply for the Mechanization Program,” Dator said, emphasizing that they do not select recipients when providing free machinery to eligible FCAs.
Following the passage of Republic Act 12078 in December 2024, which amended the Republic Act 11203 otherwise known as the Rice Tariffication Law, the annual RCEF allocation for farm machinery was increased from ₱5 billion to ₱9 billion until 2031.
This significant boost in funding allows for the acquisition of more rice farm equipment such as tillers, tractors, seeders, threshers, rice planters, harvesters, irrigation pumps, small solar irrigation, reapers, dryers, millers, warehouses, grain storage facilities, and other postharvest and processing facilities.
Dator also noted that ₱425 million has been earmarked for the promotion and establishment of at least two Fabrication, Repair, and Maintenance Centers in each rice-producing province.
These centers are expected to provide fast and efficient repair services to extend the lifespan of distributed equipment.
While the application process for Phase 2 remains the same, Dator stressed the importance of FCAs being accredited by the DA and registered with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Even FCAs that have already received machinery during Phase 1 of the RCEF Mechanization Program are eligible to apply for additional equipment.
“The good news is that we have upgraded our machinery. Tractors now come with front loaders and backhoes, making them multi-purpose tools not only for land preparation but also for irrigation and other on-farm developments,” Dator added.
He also disclosed that the Phase 1 implementation of the RCEF Mechanization Program led to a significant reduction in postharvest losses, down to 3.5 percent, which is approximately 52,980 metric tons of milled rice, which could feed about 95,000 families.
In Nueva Ecija, among the FCA beneficiaries is North Guimba Farmers’ Irrigators Association which received two four-wheel tractors, a combine harvester, and a rice seeder from PHilMech.
“These are a huge help, especially to small farmers in our association,” FCA President
Ruben Bautista said.
He expressed hope that government programs, especially those implemented by PHilMech, will continue and expand to benefit more farmers in the future. (CLJD/CNG, PIA 3-Nueva Ecija)
