Farmers and fishers will begin to receive fuel subsidies this month, the Department of Agriculture, with P100 million for the government’s fuel subsidy program ready for distribution.
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the two implementing agencies – the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) – will begin the distribution in the coming days.
Qualified farmer beneficiaries will get P5,000 while fisherfolks will receive P3,000.
“On the advice of the BFAR, next week they can already start the release of the voucher. And then the remaining 95 percent in cards. In the next two weeks, they will release that part,” De Mesa said.
“In the next two weeks, BAFE will also start releasing P5,000 for farmers logged in our Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and those who own or are renting machinery,” he added.
He said the DA will also request the immediate release of the remaining P50 million from the Department of Budget and Management instead of waiting for the P100 million-on-hand to be fully exhausted.
Once downloaded to the DA, the number of qualified beneficiaries will rise to almost 15,000 farmers and 23,800 fishers nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will begin on Tuesday (March 17) the distribution of P5,000 cash aid to tricycle drivers in 39 designated payout centers to help them cope with rising oil prices.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the initial rollout for the public will start with tricycle drivers because their lists are already validated and available through the local government units.
He said this would be followed with cash aid releases to PUV drivers, including those operating jeepneys, buses, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) units, and will be expanded nationwide to assist all affected PUV drivers.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is currently finalizing the master list for these sectors to ensure every legitimate driver is included.
For his part, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed commanders to coordinate with concerned government agencies to protect distribution sites of fuel subsidies.
“The presence of policemen is important in this kind of activity. Our goal has always been the protection and welfare of everybody,” he said.
