The Department of Agriculture (DA) will release ₱3 billion in fuel subsidies to 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk and drivers who haul farm produce starting this month, Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez said, according to a BusinessWorld report.
The assistance is part of a package directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to help the agriculture sector cope with El Niño and continued high fuel prices. It falls under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT), a framework the administration launched in March in response to the sharp rise in oil prices caused by the war in the Middle East.
Farmers and fisherfolk are the first targets of the new round of assistance because fuel for palay harvesters and motorized bancas accounts for a large share of their expenses. The new round comes as Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, reached $100 per barrel on Sept. 9. It was the first time the price had hit that level since July, amid renewed tension between the United States and Iran.
Under the program, farmers and fisherfolk will receive a one-time subsidy of ₱5,000 for mechanized implements such as tractors and motorized bancas. Delivery-truck drivers will receive ₱2,000 a week to support frequent trips from farms to markets in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Perez said the DA is working with the Land Bank of the Philippines to speed up the release of the subsidy through the bank’s branches and automated teller machines.
The DA is also pursuing a toll exemption for trucks that deliver agricultural goods. Perez said the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is discussing with tollway operators the possibility of waiving tolls for these trucks until Dec. 31.
“Dagdag sa fuel subsidy, mayroon po kaming inaayos na toll holiday or discount para rin sa agri truckers (In addition to fuel subsidy, we are also working on toll holiday or discount for agri truckers),” Perez said.
The TRB has already sent a letter to the tollway operators asking for their comments, Perez said. The DA hopes to reach an agreement soon so the toll holiday can start within the month. The arrangement is still under discussion and has not been finalized.
The report did not state when payouts will begin, how beneficiaries will be identified, or how long the weekly truck-driver subsidy will run.
