Some 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk and drivers hauling agricultural produce will get P3 billion in fuel subsidy starting this month as part of a package of assistance directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to help the agriculture sector cope with the effects of El Niño and the lingering high prices of fuel.
Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez said the fuel subsidy will be distributed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as part of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT ) framework initiated by the administration in March to address the impact of the sharp rise in oil prices on account of the Middle East war.
Mr. Perez said the DA is working with Land Bank of the Philippines for ways to further speed up the release and distribution of the fuel subsidy through the bank’s network of branches and automated teller machines.
Farmers and fisherfolk will receive a one-time fuel subsidy of P5,000 for their mechanized farm implements such as tractors and motorized bancas.
Delivery-truck drivers will receive a weekly fuel subsidy of P2,000 to help them sustain frequent delivery trips from farms to markets in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Mr. Perez said the Toll Regulatory Board is also discussing with tollway operators the possibility of exempting agri-delivery trucks from tolls 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),” said Mr. Perez.
Mr. Perez said the DA hopes to reach an agreement with the tollway operators soon so the toll holiday can be implemented within the month.
“Mayroon na pong sulat ang Toll Regulatory Board para sa ating mga tollway operators. Hiningan na sila ng komento. Kasi ang hinihingi po natin ay ituloy na iyan hanggang katapusan ng taong ito. Hanggang Dec. 31. Ito po iyong pinag-uusapan ngayon. Sana mapagbigyan tayo (The Toll Regulatory Board had already sought the comments of the tollway operators. We are asking them to continue this until the end of the year or until Dec. 31. We are now discussing this matter which we hope can be accommodated),” the DA official said.
The new round of fuel assistance under the UPLIFT will provide relief to vulnerable sectors as the benchmark Brent oil hit $100 per barrel on Sept. 9, the first time since July amid renewed US-Iran tension.
Farmers and fisherfolk are the first targets of the fresh UPLIFT assistance, as a big chunk of their expenses goes to fuel for their palay harvesters and motorized bancas.
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