Agriculture Secretary William Dar announced on Thursday a PHP1.1 billion budget for fuel subsidies for corn farmers and fishermen in the country to cushion the impact of soaring oil prices.
On top of the legislated PHP500 million fuel subsidies, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the disbursement of PHP600 million for farmers’ fuel discounts, Dar said during a meeting with farmers, fisherfolk, local government officials in Leyte province, and agriculture officials here.
“By April, there will be an additional PHP600 million for corn farmers, (and) fishers. Our appeal to you is do not stop producing food. Continue what you are doing even if we are dealing with this global crisis,” Dar said.
The Department of Agriculture has started the distribution of PHP3,000 cash to three corn farmers during a ceremonial turnover at Sophia’s Way Thursday morning.
The amount is the maximum fuel subsidy from the government.
Four fishermen are scheduled to receive the same amount during the inauguration of the new Leyte provincial capitol in Palo town to be handed over by President Duterte in the afternoon, who is expected to grace the event.
“To avail of the 30 percent discount on diesel or gasoline fuel, they should present their respective card to fuel stations accredited by the Department of Energy. Each will receive a maximum subsidy of PHP3,000,” Dar said.
Rodel Figueroa, 41, a fisherman from San Joaquin village in Palo, Leyte thanked the government for the fuel subsidy as this will help them cushion the impact of the consecutive oil price hikes.
“Our income has dropped due to high prices of fuel. We used to earn PHP500 to PHP1,200 daily but in the past few weeks, our income dropped to about PHP350 to PHP700 daily,” Figueroa said.
The subsidy for corn farmers is for machinery used in corn production from land preparation to post-harvest activities.
It does not include rice farmers since they are receiving PHP5,000 through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance.
The legislated PHP500 million fuel subsidies will initially benefit 158,730 corn farmers and fishers nationwide.
The DA has yet to announce the number of recipients for the additional PHP600 million. (PNA)
