In a bid to strengthen agricultural mechanization and improve rice productivity, the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) officially turned over various farm machinery to 105 Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) across Region I.
The turnover ceremony was held on August 28, 2025, at the DA-Pangasinan Research and Extension Center in Tebag, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. The equipment was distributed under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, a flagship initiative aimed at empowering farmers by providing them with modern farming tools.
A total of five FCAs from Villasis, Pangasinan were among the beneficiaries, receiving farm equipment amounting to P10.2 million. The awarded cooperatives/ associations and their corresponding machinery are:
Balikatan Barraca Irrigators Association (Barraca) – 1 unit Rice Harvester
Hillside Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Unzad) – 1 unit Rice Harvester
Rang-ay Farmers Irrigators Association (Bacag) – 1 unit 4WD Tractor
Lakas Bisig ng Lomboy Agricultural Cooperative (Lomboy) – 1 unit 4WD Tractor
Barangobong Solid Alliance Farmers Association (Barangobong) – 1 unit 4WD Tractor
The RCEF Mechanization Program aims to reduce production costs, increase yields, and improve the overall competitiveness of Filipino rice farmers through the use of modern agricultural machinery.
