Twenty-four farmer cooperatives and associations, as well as local government units, received on Tuesday farm machinery worth P178.57 million, under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the turnover ceremony of the farm machinery at the Bago City Community Center, also attended by Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao, Engr. Mae Ville Castro, Chief Science Research Specialist, Mary Ann Duran-Dino, who represented Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola.
The provision of farm machinery is under the RCEF Mechanization Program of the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PHILMECH), in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
The agricultural modernization projects are sourced from the RCEF 2024–2025 fund, which aims to enhance farm productivity, reduce production costs, and improve the overall competitiveness of rice farmers in the province.
Lacson, who thanked the DA-PHILMECH for the various projects extended to the farmers of Negros Occidental, said the initiatives will significantly enhance the productivity and efficiency of local farmers, providing them with better access to modern technology and sustainable agricultural practices.
He also emphasized that such support strengthens the province’s efforts toward achieving food security, rural development, and improved livelihoods for farming communities.*
