Farmers alerted to extortion in distribution of agri equipment

The mechanization arm of the Department of Agriculture has sounded the alarm on certain individuals posing as government employees and asking farmers and cooperatives to pay fees in exchange for receiving farm equipment.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said in a press briefing it has been investigating the scheme discreetly since last year, but noticed that reports have multiplied recently.

“We have received reports of persons with ill motives asking for facilitation fees from farmers and cooperatives so they can get farm machines under the rice competitiveness enhancement fund-mechanization program,” PhilMech director Baldwin Jallorina said.

“We would like to emphasize: We never authorized the processing and facilitation fees. Farmers and cooperatives interested to be part of the mechanization program need not pay any fees. The machines and services are free of charge. This act is tantamount to corruption,” he added.

According to the director, they have been receiving reports from suppliers in Pampanga, Bulacan and Pangasinan. While PhilMech was still verifying the reports, it has already alerted local government units and has doubled communication efforts among stakeholders.

Asked whether it was possible that PhilMech employees could be behind the racket, Jallorina said he could not give assurance, but noted he trusted PhilMech staff since they were loyal and “it is in their hearts to serve.”Under the rice competitiveness enhancement program, PhilMech receives P5 billion annually for the procurement of agricultural equipment to be distributed to rice farmers.

The mechanization component is meant to reduce the cost of producing palay and introduce new farming practices that may improve the productivity and efficiency of rice farmers.As of August, PhilMech has completed the distribution of farm machines under the 2019 and 2020 programs, while the acquisition and distribution of equipment under the 2021 and 2022 programs are still ongoing. INQ