Pilar farmers receive Rice Seedlings from RCEF Seed Program
The Local Government Unit of Pilar through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) distributed rice seedlings to the Farmers Association under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on November 17,2021 at LGU Complex Gymnasium Calongay,Pilar,Sorsogon.
The RCEF-Seed Program is a component of Republic Act 11203 or the "Rice Tariffication Law" otherwise known as an “Act Liberalizing the Importation, Exportation, and Trading of Rice , Lifting for the Purpose the Quantitative Import Restriction on Rice and for other purposes”, which allots P10 billion fund every year for the rice farmers.
With the government's initiative to help the marginal farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with its partner agencies distribute high-quality seeds to rice-producing cities and municipalities including Pilar to improve rice farmers competitiveness and income amidst the challenges brought by the ongoing pandemic. PhilRice leads the RCEF-Seed Program and is the governments lead agency on rice research and development mandated to help ensure a rice-secure Philippines.
Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes is represented by Municipal Administrator Arthur John Garchitorena in the activity. In his message, he recognized the significant role played by farmers in society and likewise extends its sincere gratitude to DA-PhilRice, RCEF, OPAG Sorsogon, Provincial Government and to all its partner agencies for the unwavering support given to the municipality of Pilar.
Ninety-eight (98) farmers of Pilar from the 11 Associations have benefited from the program wherein a total number of 252 bags of RC 216 palay seeds were released. Beneficiaries were enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sector and Agriculture (RSBSA), a member of the association and utilizes rice fields located within Pilar.
Furthermore, Roberto D. Fortes Prov. Agriculturist, BM Arze Glipo, Chair. on SP Committee on Agriculture represented Gov. Chiz Escudero, Agnes Espinola of DA RFO 5, Marino Nayve RCEF Provincial Coordinator, VM Luis Leosala, and Councilors Hon. Emmanuel Sia, and Hon. Eugene Mananes graced the said activity.(Pilar PIO)
