EDITORIAL

95% of FBDs In 7 Regions Are Functional

At least 95 percent of the flatbed dryers (FBDs) in seven regions the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) distributed are functioning and are ready to serve its intended recipients.

What DA-PhilMech Executive Director Ricardo L. Cachuela said is contrary to earlier findings reported by the Commission on Audit (COA). According to Cachuela, 95 percent of the FBDs in　Central Luzon　(Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), Davao Region (Region 11) and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) are fully functioning. Only very few units need repairs.
　

The COA findings were based on field investigations during Calendar Year 2010, stated that in the seven aforementioned regions "62.38 percent of flatbed dryers installed and delivered (were) not operational". During the same calendar year, COA observed that in Western Visayas (Region 6) most of the flatbed dryers "were 80 percent complete", meaning these were still in the stage of construction or installation.
"We appreciate the findings of the COA based on Calendar Year 2010. Based on our latest field assessment as of August 2011, 95 percent of FBDs in the seven regions are functioning," Cachuela reported.
　

The seven regions have a total of 1,250 FBDs of which 95 percent or 1,194 are functioning, based on the assessment of DA-PhilMech as of August 2011.
　

The breakdown of the functioning units are Central Luzon (Region 3) 297 units functioning out of the 313 distributed; Bicol Region (Region 5) 203 functioning out of 227 distributed; Western Visayas (Region 6) all 188 units functioning; Central Visayas (Region 7) 33 units functioning out of 35 distributed; Eastern Visayas (Region 8) 208 units functioning out of 215 distributed; Davao Region (Region 11) 92 functioning out of 93 distributed; and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) 173 functioning out of 179 distributed.
　

Aside from the support given by the DA Regional Field Units and concerned Local Government Units in establishing the FBDs, Cachuela said that farmer organizations should also be lauded for making most of the FBDs in the seven regions functioning.

"Achieving a 95 percent functionality level of the FBDs distributed in the seven regions also goes to show that farmer organizations can be trained to operate and maintain various types of farm machinery," Cachuela said.
　

As for the 53 FBDs units which are not functioning, various reasons are cited like damaged blower and/or engine, missing or stolen engine, and damage caused by typhoon.
　

In Central Luzon (Region 3), three units have been pulled out for relocation to another region where there are farmer organizations that are willing to operate and maintain. This is part of the sustainability plan crafted by PhilMech to ensure that these dryers will be put to use, including the continuous training of operators, rehabilitation of worn out parts and technical assistance.

"The FBDs enable the farmers to sell their palay (unmilled rice) at dry season prices during the wet season. In the Visayas regions, palay with more than 14 percent moisture content fetches a price of only　P7 per kilo during the wet season. On the other hand, palay dried to　14 percent moisture content using FBDs can fetch a price of P10 to P17 per kilo during the wet season", Cachuela pointed out.

"Without FBDs, farmers would not be able to sell their palay at higher prices harvested during heavy rains which has become more prevalent because of climate change," he said.　

　
With whom shall we believe? Do you believe COA? Do you believe DA – Phil Mech? Who tells the truth?

As Cachuela reported, 188 units of flatbed dryers were distributed in Western Visayas. Of these units, how many are in Aklan? If there is, can we visit a functioning unit?

Is the Grain Center which LGU Aklan spent 7 million pesos located in Laguinbanua, Ibajay now functioning and helping the farmers improve the quality of palay produced?
It is best for director Cachuela to make the 53 non-operational FBD units to operational. Otherwise, the DA has more agricultural equipment in its inventory but inutile. /MP