(FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered its field offices to complete their distribution of fuel subsidies for fishers and farmers by the end of the month.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier approved the implementation of the P500-million fuel discount program for farmers and fisherfolk amid the soaring cost of fuel driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Meron tayong fuel subsidy, P500 million tapos ‘yan ay nandu’n na sa mga regions. So binibigay na both for fishers and corn farmers,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said on Thursday’s Laging Handa public briefing.
(We have a fuel subsidy, P500 million and it is already in regional offices. So, we are giving it to both fishers and corn farmers.)
“I have directed our regional field offices to do it, everything, on or before the end of this month,” he answered when asked when the disbursement will be accomplished.
Around 158,000 farmers and fisherfolk will receive P3,000 each for fuel subsidy, DA Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes earlier said.
To further assist farmers, Dar said that the agency is planning to enhance its Rice Farmer Financial Assistance.
“Another one, meron tayong (we have a) Rice Farmer Financial Assistance, P8.9 billion. We will now enhance this kasi ‘yung (because the) release nitong (of this) Rice Farmers Financial Assistance, we have yet to receive that,” Dar noted.
“But all the preparations are in place so that once the release of the P8 billion more, we will now accelerate this para talagang makatulong sa ating mga magsasaka (to further help our farmers),” the Agriculture chief added.
A P3-billion fertilizer subsidy for rice and corn farmers is also available, said Dar.