In a move that will help accelerate farm modernization in the Philippines, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) and TYM Corporation of South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 1, 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, coinciding with the opening day of Agrilink 2025.
Founded in 1951, TYM Corp. is a global agricultural equipment manufacturer with operations in more than 40 countries.
The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation between TYM Corp. and PHilMech in the following: Advanced Technical Training, and Strategic Collaboration for the Industrial Development of the Agricultural Sector in the Philippines, which will pave the way for the establishment of the PHilMech Academy on Postharvest and Mechanization.
PHilMech Director IV Dionisio Alvindia PhD and TYM Corp. Director Hokyum Kim signed the MOU on behalf of their agencies,
“The signing of this agreement between PHilMech and TYM Corp., a global firm based in South Korea, is a major step in modernizing the country’s agriculture sector primarily through mechanization and other related technologies. And we thank Mr. Hokyum Kim for making this agreement possible,” Director Alvindia said.
“The knowledge that TYM Corporation will impart to PHilMech will pave the way for the agency to establish an academy that will level up the knowledge of Filipinos in farm mechanization and postharvest,” he added.
For the Advanced Training Component, TYM Corp. shall contribute to the advanced technical training of PHilMech engineers through regular programs over the next five (5) years, including the development of training materials, deployment of instructors, and delivery of training sessions.
Also, TYM Corp. shall invite selected outstanding Filipino trainees to South Korea for further specialized training under the TYM Certified Engineer Program, with the goal of developing recognized industry technical experts for the Philippines.
FIT Corea Trading Phils., Inc., as the authorized local representative of TYM Corp. in the Philippines, will oversee and provide support to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
PHilMech personnel who will be trained by TYM Corp. shall subsequently re-train and educate field technicians and tractor users, particularly beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), to promote proper use and maintenance of farm tractors.
For the component of Strategic Collaboration for Industrial Development, TYM Corp. intends to invest in and construct an integrated TYM Parts and Service Center in the Philippines to strengthen the after-sales service, improve availability of spare parts, and build local technical skills capabilities.
Also, TYM shall actively assess opportunities to expand its role in the local value chain for farm equipment, with the objective of contributing to the development of manufacturing capabilities.
In establishing the academy, TYM Corp. will donate a full-scale cross section of a farm tractor, which gives a detailed analysis and understanding of its internal components and their functions, such as the engine, transmission, and various parts of the chassis and hydraulic systems.
