By: Alex Q. Galang
San Marcelino, Zambales — In partnership with the Department of Agriculture under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program, a validation activity was conducted among farmers in the Municipality of San Marcelino to personally assess the impact of government-provided agricultural machinery and equipment.
The visit focused on evaluating the assistance extended to the Zambales Agri-Farmers Entrepreneurship Association (ZAFEA). The validation aimed to determine how the distributed farm machinery and tools have contributed to improving agricultural productivity and enhancing the livelihood of local farmers.
This initiative underscores the importance of ensuring that government programs are effectively implemented and that the intended beneficiaries experience tangible and meaningful benefits. Through direct engagement with the farmers, officials were able to gather feedback and assess the actual performance and utilization of the equipment.
As part of the validation findings, discussions were also held regarding the prioritization of additional machinery and support services that would further boost farm efficiency and productivity in the municipality.
Congressman Jay Khonghun emphasized the importance of sustained government support for farmers, stating:
“Our farmers are at the heart of our local economy. It is our responsibility to ensure that the assistance we provide truly reaches them and creates real, measurable improvements in their productivity and income. Through continuous validation and collaboration, we strengthen not only our agricultural programs but also the future of farming in our district.”
The local government remains committed to sustained collaboration with national agencies and farmers’ organizations to ensure the continuous growth and development of the agricultural sector in the district.