The Province of Surigao del Sur, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), officially received a QR printer and supplies from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED) during a Turn-over Ceremony held on October 28, 2025, at the OPAg Training Hall, Tandag City. The event marks a significant milestone as the province was selected as a Model Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU).

Present during the ceremony were Provincial Administrator John Vincent T. Pimentel, representing Hon. Governor Johnny T. Pimentel, Provincial Agriculturist, Esmeraldo S. Raymundo, Engr. Louie Gonzales, Mr. Marvin Palapuz from PhilMech Central Office, Engr. Mary Jevie Macarayo and Engr. Niel Vincent Antenero from DA-RAED, Engr. Ira Sambalud from DA-APCO along with staff from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

The project aims to catalyze the nationwide utilization of the RAFMES, which is envisioned to create an updated national database of agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment. This system will play a key role in strengthening data management, supporting mechanization programs, and enhancing policy formulation and decision-making within the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

In his message, Provincial Administrator John Vincent T. Pimentel reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s unwavering support for the agriculture sector, emphasizing that it remains one of the top priorities of Hon. Governor Johnny T. Pimentel under his “Journey Towards Progress (JTP)” vision. He underscored the province’s dedication to ensuring that every initiative geared toward agricultural advancement receives the necessary support from the local government.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist, Esmeraldo S. Raymundo, expressed optimism about the project’s potential impact, stating,

“I hope this project will help us in providing the data we need to determine the level of mechanization at each stage—from pre- to post-harvest—and whether mechanization has truly helped our farmers increase their production. If not, then perhaps it will help us identify which technologies are not contributing effectively to productivity”.

He added that through this initiative, the province would be better equipped to assess the efficiency and outcomes of mechanization interventions, ensuring that future programs are data-driven and responsive to the actual needs of the farmers.

Through this partnership, the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur continues to uphold its mission of promoting efficiency and sustainability in the agriculture and fisheries sectors—anchored on accurate data and strong institutional collaboration.