TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Northern Samar has formally joined the Department of Agriculture’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program, a move expected to strengthen rice production and improve the livelihood of farmers in the province for the 2025–2031 implementation period.
The program’s launch, held at Sumuroy Hall in the provincial capitol, marked Northern Samar’s inclusion among the country’s 78 rice-producing provinces that will benefit from RCEF interventions aimed at improving yield, reducing production costs, and enhancing rice quality.
Governor Harris Ongchuan led the ceremony alongside Representatives Edwin Ongchuan and Nico Raul Daza, and Vice Governor Clarence Dato.
The event gathered local officials, national government representatives, and agricultural stakeholders in a united effort to make rice farming in the province more competitive, sustainable, and resilient.
“Sa ating pagsusumikap at pakikipag-ugnayan sa Department of Agriculture at iba’t ibang ahensya, kasali na ang ating probinsya sa mga programa sa ilalim ng RCEF mula ngayong taon hanggang 2031. Kung ating babalikan, noong nakaraang buwan ay nakatanggap na ng mga makabagong makinarya ang mga qualified farmers’ at irrigators’ associations,” Governor Ongchuan said.
Anchored on Ongchuan’s HCO Framework—which focuses on Human capacity-building, Climate resiliency, and Opportunities—the RCEF program seeks to empower farmers through access to modern farm machinery, high-quality seeds, credit assistance, and technical training.
Through the initiative, local farmers are expected to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, improve soil management, and utilize advanced post-harvest technologies to minimize losses and increase profitability. Continuous farmer education and technical support will also help them adapt to climate challenges and meet evolving agricultural standards.
The event was attended by DA Regional Field Office 8 OIC Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapañas, former congressman Paul Daza, Provincial Agriculturist Jose Luis Acompañado, TESDA Northern Samar Provincial Director Zosimo de Asis, and Rice Program Coordinator Engr. Ma. Cristina Ladeza.
Partner agencies such as Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines and Technical Education Skills Development Authority also participated, along with members of various farmers’ cooperatives and associations across the province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
