On August 7, 2017, four Farm Mechanization Service Facilities under the Small Livelihood (SLP) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) were simultaneously awarded to farmer organizations in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur and Piddig, Ilocos Norte.

The SLP is a rehabilitative type of enterprise funded by the PRDP. Cabugao and Piddig farmers were among the most affected when Typhoon Lando hit Luzon in October 2015. Through the Farm Mechanization Service Facility, the farmer organizations aim to recover from their production losses.

The SLP Farm Mechanization Service Facility awards a four-wheel tractor, rotavator, trailer, and cage roller to successful farmer organizations. Through the SLP-tractor, the members of the farmer organizations will have P2,403 increase in income per hectare; provide 33% discount per square meter in land preparation; provide 20% discount in the hauling of their produce; and even provide employment opportunities to its members.

The farmer organizations which received SLP-tractors included: Piddig Basi Multi-purpose Cooperative, Namnama ARBs Multi-purpose Cooperative, and Dupitac ARBs Multi-purpose Cooperative in Piddig, Ilocos Norte; and the New Maradodon AR Cooperative in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

The four tractors awarded to the farmer organizations in the Municipality of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur and in the Municipality of Piddig, Ilocos Norte are the first batch of SLPs awarded in the respective provinces.

The submission of SLP proposals ceased in December 2016. The Project is expected to award all SLP subprojects in 2017. (Dessa U. Estrada, RPCO1 InfoACE Unit)