SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR – Twelve Farmers’ Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) from Camarines Sur received 38 horsepower and 95 horsepower four-wheel drive tractors from Rice Program and Corn Program, respectively, as CY 2024 draws to a close. Another 10 units will be delivered to recipient FCAs in Albay, Cam. Norte, Masbate and Sorsogon.

Rodel P. Tornilla, DA Bicol Regional Executive Director personally lead the turn over at the DA Regional Office compound on December 27, 2024. The farm machineries were received by the presidents or chairperson of the Fabrica Farmers Fisherfolk’s Association, Inc.; San Agustin, San Ramon Agrarian Reform Farmers Cooperative; Lirag Agrarian Reform Farmers Beneficiaries Cooperative; San Jose Farmers Association of Iriga City; Antipolo Minalabac Farmers Association; Tagas Agri Farmers Association; Comaguingking Farmers Association; Pagluwas Planters Association, Inc.; Kilomaon Integrated Farmers Association; Buhi, Diversified Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative; Libod Agta-Tabangnon Indigenous People Producers Cooperative.

Also present during the turn over were Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez, OIC- Regional Technical Director for Operations; Earl Vincent P. Vegas, OIC Chief of Field Operations Division and Rice Program regional focal person; Engr. Amabel N. Bombase, Regional Corn and Cassava Program coordinator; Engr. Jerry Eboña, OIC –Chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED).

Meanwhile, two FCAs in Albay; two in Cam. Norte; three in Masbate and three FCAs in Sorsogon will also receive the same four-wheel drive tractor.

The Rice and Corn Program funded a total of 22 units of four-wheel drive tractor – 14 units under the Rice Program worth P1.98M each and eight units under the Corn Program amounting to P3.32M each – with a total worth of P54,397,040 in the last quarter of 2024. (Lovella P. Guarin) (Photo credit: Jun Collantes)