TUNGAWAN, Zamboanga Sibugay – Mayor Angelito Aniñon on Monday welcomed the visit of Engineer Roozel Borromeo, the focal person of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), as the municipal government explores ways to strengthen its agricultural sector.
According to former councilor Lorverle Caracol, former congresswoman Antonieta “Ate Tata” Eudela also joined the meeting, signaling a unified effort to support Tungawan’s farmers.
Mayor Aniñon expressed gratitude to Borromeo for visiting the town and presenting potential projects aimed at improving post-harvest efficiency and farmer productivity.
Among the initiatives discussed were the establishment of mechanical dryer facilities and a rice mill — infrastructure that could reduce post-harvest losses and increase income for local rice farmers.
“This partnership could transform how our farmers work and earn. We are determined to help them move from subsistence farming to sustainable agribusiness,” Mayor Aniñon said in a statement.
What is PhilMech?
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) is a government agency under the Department of Agriculture. Its tasks include developing, promoting, and implementing postharvest and mechanization technologies to improve farmers’ productivity and profitability.
PhilMech plays a key role in implementing the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which provides modern machinery and training to rice farmers and cooperatives nationwide. The agency’s programs aim to reduce postharvest losses, cut production costs, and enhance food security by modernizing farming operations.
The local government hopes that a partnership with PhilMech will pave the way for inclusive agricultural growth—helping farmers adapt to modern technology while improving their livelihoods.
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