The Department of Agriculture (DA) has turned over 94 units of modern agricultural machinery valued at P207.47 million to farmers’ cooperatives in Occidental Mindoro province on Friday, August 29, 2025.

The equipment handover ceremony in Sablayan municipality was the first batch of machinery under the DA’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, implemented by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

The RCEF program is designed to modernize Philippine rice farming through mechanization, with funding allocated from tariff collections on imported rice.

Occidental Mindoro Lone District Congressman Odie F. Tarriela, vice chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, expressed support for the program.

“These modern equipment will increase production, reduce costs, and strengthen the livelihood of every Mindoro farmer,” Tarriela said in a statement read during the ceremony.

PhilMech Director Joel V. Dator led the turnover ceremony, joined by regional agriculture officials, Governor Eduardo Gadiano, and several mayors from beneficiary municipalities including Sablayan Mayor Walter B. Marquez, San Jose Mayor Rey C. Ladaga, and Calintaan Mayor Eric C. Labrador.

Photos: courtesy of Cong. Odie Tarriela’s FB Page