Governor Amy Alvarez plans to replicate in other municipalities the farm equipment rental program she introduced in San Vicente, saying it could help rice farmers cut costs and earn more despite falling palay prices during harvest season.
Speaking at the open forum of the 1st Palawan Business Summit on August 13, Governor Amy said the scheme allows farmers to rent tractors and other farm mechanization equipment at minimal cost, paying only a few hundred pesos plus fuel.
“In San Vicente, we brought all the farm mechanization equipment that is needed to farm and harvest and mill all these rice. Kami ang magpapa-rent sa kanila ng equipment for a very, very minimal cost. Sila na magpupuno ng fuel,” the governor said.
She explained that the system reduces farmers’ expenses and shields them from losses when palay prices drop, especially when they have debts to pay from planting expenses.
The rice farmers were very, very, very happy with our scheme,” Alvarez said.
Gov. Amy noted that local governments, the province government, and the Department of Agriculture (DA) could all help make the initiative happen. It would include using rice mills and other machines.
She also said that working with cooperatives will provide farmers access to provincial financing, let them handle their own sales, and give them more leverage to negotiate in the market.
“I feel like if this can be replicated, this will be a really great help. Sana it can be replicated all over,” Alvarez said.
Before the business summit, Gov. Amy met with officials of the National Food Authority (NFA) Palawan on Monday, August 11, at the provincial capitol to discuss the agency’s operations, focusing on the current prices of rice and palay from farmers.
The meeting was led by NFA Palawan Branch Manager Julius Lopez, accompanied by staff members Gemarie Asturias and Rubelyn Landicho.
The governor heard updates from the local NFA office regarding its work in stabilizing rice supply and ensuring fair trade for farmers. The discussion also tackled the need for provincial support to strengthen the agency’s role in serving consumers and producers.
Lopez and his team outlined areas where NFA Palawan is seeking assistance to improve its programs and delivery of services. Alvarez, for her part, assured them that the provincial government is open to helping address challenges in rice procurement and price monitoring.
The short meeting formed part of the governor’s continuing talks with agencies involved in food security in Palawan.
