Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday assured continuous efforts to protect the productivity of sugar and other agricultural sectors in the Philippines.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) made the assurance as some farmer representatives sought possible government intervention in case tensions in the Middle East prompt supply disruptions or price surges in petroleum-based agricultural inputs.

“We will work to ensure a stable supply of fuel and fertilizer, as well as other inputs — not only for sugar farmers but for all Filipino farmers and fisherfolk,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

For the sugar industry alone, fuel demand increases during peak harvest as it is used for harvesting cane, transporting produce to sugar mills, preparations for the upcoming planting season and irrigation systems.

“We have asked the help of Secretary Tiu-Laurel to bring the problems of our sugar farmers caused by the Middle East conflict to the Department of Energy (DOE) and other government agencies,” Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) are set to distribute PHP100 million in fuel subsidy to eligible farmers and fishers in the country within March.

Each eligible farmer will receive PHP5,000 while fishers will get PHP3,000 each.

The agency is also eyeing to utilize almost PHP100 million budget from its unused fuel subsidy fund from 2023 to 2025.

It is likewise studying the possibility of tapping the PHP10-billion fund under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program.

The PAFF is typically used to provide cash aid to farmers and fishers during times of calamities, and is scheduled for release during the second to third quarter of the year. (PNA)