The municipality of Quezon in Nueva Ecija received two four-wheel drive tractors (4WDTs) from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

With a value of P4.4 million, these machines were funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program.

PHilMech Director Dionisio Alvindia said the tractors will benefit farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCA), as well as individual farmers.

“They are equipped with a rotavator, rotary disc plow, and front loader. The tractors will assist the municipal government of Quezon in providing services to cooperatives and farmer associations that may not be serviced by our FCA beneficiaries,” he explained.

The two 4WDTs complement the P16 million worth of drying and milling facilities, known as the Rice Processing System (RPS I) which was awarded to the town in October 2023.

Alvindia assured that the agency will provide continuous assistance to the municipality.

“Expect more machinery to arrive. Expect that PHilMech is always ready to support the local government of Quezon and all our fellow citizens in Nueva Ecija,” he emphasized.

For the duration of the program, the Quezon Local Government Unit and its FCAs have received other production machines such as nine 4WDTs (including the recently awarded), five hand tractors, one precision seeder, one walk-behind transplanter, one riding-type transplanter, and eight rice combine harvesters.

Overall, a total of P51 million worth of various production and post-production technologies has been awarded to the town under the RCEF Mechanization Program from 2019 to 2023. (PIA 3)