The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) turned over PHP178.57 million worth of machinery and equipment to 24 farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental on Tuesday. The assistance, sourced from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) 2024-2025 allocation, aims to enhance farm productivity, reduce production costs, and improve the overall competitiveness of rice farmers in the province. Lacson also thanked the farmers for their efforts in achieving the required rice production in Negros Occidental. Under the RCEF Mechanization Program, the recipient FCAs and LGUs received 17 units of four-wheel drive tractors totaling PHP39.952 million and 15 units of rice combine harvesters worth PHP30 million. Also distributed were four units of village-type rice mills amounting to PHP2.72 million, two units of precision seeders worth PHP3.46 million, and one drying system with a cost of PHP102.44 million.