The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) has partnered with local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon to boost farmers’ productivity.

An agreement was signed on Wednesday between PHilMech and the municipalities of Baliuag and Pulilan in Bulacan, the provincial government of Nueva Ecija and the municipality of Quezon, also in Nueva Ecija for the establishment of rice processing facilities under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program.

PHilMech Director III Joel V. Dator said on Thursday that as per agreement, Baliuag and Pulilan each received two units of 6-ton mechanical dryers and a 1.5 tons per hour (ton/h) multi-stage rice mill worth a total of PHP35 million.

“The RPS aims to reduce postharvest losses, boost farmers’ income and improve the quality of milled rice produced in the country,” Dator said in a radio interview.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Nueva Ecija will receive PHP18 million worth of post-harvest facilities that include two units of 6-ton recirculating dryers and a 1.5-ton/h multi-pass rice mill.

The municipal government of Quezon on the other hand, will receive PHP16 million worth of a 12-ton recirculating dryer and a 1.5-ton/h multi-pass rice mill.

“Nag-request ang probinsya ng Nueva Ecija sa PHilMech na kung pwede bigyan sila ng ganun facilities kasi ang recipients ng RCEF ay farmers’ cooperatives at pwede rin ang LGUs. Then, nagkaroon ng letter of intent at nandito na kami ngayon (The provincial government of Nueva Ecija has requested PhilMech to have such facilities because the recipients of RCEF are farmers’ cooperatives and also LGUs. Then, we had letter of intent and now we are here),” PHilMech Director IV Dionisio G. Alvindia said in the radio program.

Alvindia assured of PHilMech’s continuous support of the initiatives of Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali to help farmers in the province.

“Umasa kayo na ang PHilMech ay kaagapay ng probinsya ng Nueva Ecija para ma-realize ang mga program sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga magsasaka (Rest assured that PHilMech is a partner of the province of Nueva Ecija to realize programs that provide help to the farmers),” he said.

PHilMech said a total of 756 units of various agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities have already been delivered under their 2019 to 2023 funds in the province. (PNA)