MAITUM, Sarangani Province – The RCEF Seed Distribution Kick-off Ceremony and Program Briefing successfully launched on November 14, 2024, bringing together key officials and representatives from various agencies to support local rice farmers.

The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Municipal Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maitum, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and other implementing partners in ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program.

Notable attendees included:

Mr. Ruben R. Balanag, Municipal Administrator of LGU Maitum
Ms. Dinamae G. Unay, OIC-Municipal Agriculturist
Mr. Wilson Alegado, Senior Institutional Development Program (IDP) Officer, NIA
Ms. Lizza Joyce C. Gallo, Rice Support Officer, DA-RFO XII
Mr. Jayson V. Abang, RCEF Technical Staff, ATI-RTC XII
Representatives from DA-RFO XII, PhilRice, and various LGUs also participated, emphasizing the collective goal of increasing productivity and competitiveness among rice farmers in the region.

This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide access to high-quality rice seeds and complementary support to ensure food security and sustainable farming practices.