CITY OF MALOLOS — Thirty-seven Bulakenyo Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) received P59.18 million worth of agricultural machinery on Wednesday (Jan. 31) from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) during the Distribution of Farm Machineries and Ceremonial Awarding held at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city.
According to Katrina Anne Bernardo-Balingit, Provincial Public Affairs Office chief on Thursday (Feb. 1), FCAs from the City of Malolos, Paombong, Pulilan, Plaridel, City of Baliwag, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael, Bocaue, Pandi, Angat, Santa Maria, and City of San Jose del Monte were given various agricultural machineries including 15 Hand Tractor, 14 Four Wheel Tractor, nine Riding Type Transplanter, five Rice Combine Harvester, four Single Pass Rice Mill, four Walk Behind Transplanter, and two Precision Seeder.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando in his statement, Balingit said, the governor aims for the Bulakenyo farmers to be known as the mirror of diligence and progress which is why from the very beginning the Provincial Government of Bulacan has been sowing good changes in the lives of the farmers.
“Maliban sa pagbibigay ng mga binhing pananim, tayo po sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ay nakatutok sa iba pang bahagi ng pagsasaka tulad ng pagtatayo ng imprastraktura, pag-aayos ng mga irigasyon, pagbibigay kasanayan sa modernong pagsasaka, at pamamahagi ng mga makabagong kagamitan para sa kapakanan ng ating magsasaka,” Fernando added.
Meanwhile, the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III Dir. Eduardo Lapuz, Jr. requested the farmer-beneficiaries to take good care of the machinery and give chance to all members of the cooperatives to use it.
“Although ‘yung ipamimigay po ng ating PhilMech ay matitibay po ‘yan at maayos, dapat priority n’yo po ang maintenance ng mga equipment and machines. Alagaan po natin para magamit pa po ng matagal,” Lapuz said.
Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, Board Member Romina Fermin, Chief of Staff Atty. Nikki Manuel Coronel and Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo were present during the activity along with Congresswoman Agustina Dominic Pancho, Cong. Salvador “Ador” Pleyto, Sr. represented by his son, former Municipal Councilor Salvador Pleyto, Jr., Cong. Danilo A. Domingo represented by Lyvette San Diego and Angat Mayor Reynante “Jowar’ Bautista.
The RCEF Mechanization Program aims to promote and implement suitable and proper agricultural mechanization to increase the productivity and efficiency of the farmers resulting in an increased income and to improve the quality of life of the farmers. (UnliNews Online)
