The Department of Agriculture (DA) has secured P50 million to start distributing fuel subsidies to farmers affected by rising oil prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program will give P5,000 each to 9,570 farmers who use mechanized equipment. Beneficiaries must be registered in the government’s official agriculture database to qualify.
The subsidy was triggered after global oil prices exceeded US$80 per barrel, increasing production and transport costs in the farm sector. The DA said the assistance will help ease immediate expenses but admitted the amount covers only a small portion of farmers’ fuel needs.
The agency added it is looking for more funds to expand support, noting that both farmers and fisherfolk are heavily affected by higher fuel prices.
Meanwhile, a separate fuel subsidy program for fisherfolk is ongoing. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said over 10,000 fisherfolk have already received assistance, with the highest numbers in Central Visayas and Bicol.
BFAR is currently using remaining funds from last year while waiting for the release of an additional P50 million, which could benefit around 15,000 more municipal fisherfolk.
Under the program, each qualified fisherfolk receives a one-time P3,000 subsidy, distributed through cash cards or vouchers. The agency said it is working to speed up fund releases and continue providing support without delay.
