Photo courtesy of the Department of Agriculture – Bicol
LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) —A farmer leader from Camarines Sur has encouraged fellow farmers to secure accreditation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to become beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
Amelia Valencia, chairperson of the Sampaloc Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Gainza, made this call after her group received farm machinery and fertilizers from the RCEF.
“For rice farmers who do not belong to a cooperative or association, or who are not yet accredited by the registering agencies, I encourage you to seek accreditation with RCEF,” she said. “This can provide access to benefits and services not only for individuals but also for the entire community.”
Valencia emphasized that as RCEF members, cooperatives and associations can access technical assistance, farm machinery, inputs, and various other forms of support.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has extended the RCEF for six additional years and increased its annual budget allocation from P10 billion to P30 billion.
RCEF extension is provided for under Republic Act 12078, which amends the Agricultural Tariffication Act, on December 9.
DA Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla has said that with the RCEF extension and its budget increased threefold, the DA can provide a greater quantity of high-quality seeds, farm machinery, fertilizers, and irrigation to more farmers’ cooperatives and associations.
Currently, the DA records indicate that there are a total of 1,466 farmer groups accredited under RCEF in Bicol.
Shane Matociños, president of the Busay Farmers Association, Inc. in Busay, Daraga, Albay, has agreed with Valencia’s observation.
Matociños said that after renewing their association’s accreditation, they were able to access RCEF funds.
“Through the RCEF, we could request farming machinery and tools, and the approval process was faster. We were able to distribute seeds, fertilizers, and equipment such as hand tractors, water-cooled engines, rice reapers, and threshers,” he said.
Moreover, Matociños mentioned that their members were able to obtain loans from Land Bank, which funded their hog-fattening business.
“It is challenging to make progress without government assistance. Without it, we often find ourselves indebted to private organizations,” she said.
“However, with the support of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies, life becomes much easier,” she added.
Citing an example from the impact of Typhoon Kristine, she said, “Even though our rice fields were heavily flooded and severely damaged, we felt supported because we received continuous aid from President Bongbong Marcos.”
Farmers’ groups, associations, and cooperatives interested in submitting documentation should coordinate with their Municipal Agriculture Office and the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office.
According to the implementing rules and regulations, farmers must submit a letter of intent along with the required documentation to the DA Bicol Regional Director.
The required documents include:
- A valid certificate of registration from any recognized government agency,
- A farmer association profile, which must include the list of officers and association members, along with their home and farm addresses,
- An Omnibus Sworn Statement, and
- An endorsement from the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) or Local Government Unit, directed to the Accreditation Secretariat at the DA Bicol Field Operations Division. (PIA5)
