The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday announced the possible release of the PHP10 billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) to registered farmers and fishers starting April 6.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed the timeline during the organizational meeting of the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee amid surging fuel prices due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Tiu Laurel said they are eyeing to start releasing the PAFF after the Holy Week, following the commitment of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Hopefully by the week of April 6. We are just waiting for the SARO (Special Allotment Release Order), which the DBM has committed to release by April 2,” he said.

More than 4 million registered Filipino farmers and fishers are set to receive cash assistance to protect them from rising fuel costs.

“We will be giving PHP2,325 to 4.175 million beneficiaries na rehistrado sa RSBSA, (registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture),” Tiu Laurel said.

Majority of the beneficiaries are from the rice sector, at 2.197 million; followed by 1.475 million corn producers; more than 102,000 sugar farmers; and about 399,000 fishers nationwide.

The DA has earlier started the distribution of fuel subsidy to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.

The DA has a PHP150-million approved budget for its fuel subsidy program for registered farmers and fishers.

Each eligible farmer will receive PHP5,000, and PHP3,000 for qualified fishers.

The DA is also eyeing to tap almost PHP100 million in unused fuel subsidy funds from 2023 to 2025. (PNA)