The Fuel Discount for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program was launched by the Department of Agriculture spearheaded by Secretary William Dar yesterday, March 21, 2022 at the Subic Fish Port, Barangay Baraca Camachile, Subic, Zambales.
“Dito natin inumpisahan ang pamimigay natin ng fuel roll-out discount card sa mga qualified na mangingisda at corn farmers, mapalad ang Zambales,” Agriculture Secretary Dar uttered.
In partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines and Universal Storefront Services Corporation, more than 200 eligible beneficiaries received their Php 3,000 worth of fuel subsidy card. Subsequently, DA Chief Dar shared the highlights on the launching of the Plant, Plant, Plant Program 2 last March 7, 2022 which aims to alleviate and reduce the effects of the global economic challenges due to the Ukraine crisis.
“Hindi lamang sa crops ang programang ito, kasama ang fisheries at aquaculture, maging ang livestock at poultry.
Gusto nating pataasin ‘yung level of food production ng ating bansa,” Secretary Dar said.According to the Special Provision No. 20 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 or Republic Act (RA) 11639, the amount of Php 500,000,000 appropriated herein shall be used to provide fuel discount to farmers and fisherfolk when the average Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) for three months reaches or exceeds USD 80 per barrel.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering Director Ariodear Rico discussed the brief introduction of the said program and clarified that fuel subsidy will prioritize the corn farmers who used machinery in their production.
Qualified beneficiaries will be identified through the DA Regional Field Offices and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Offices. One of the primary bases, the farmer/fisherfolk must own and operates an agricultural and fishery machinery individually or through an association or cooperative.
Furthermore, the fishing vessels of the fisherfolk are required to be registered in the Integrated Boat Registry System or DA-BFAR’s BOATR while a proof of ownership for the farm machinery shall be provided by an individual farmer or farmers’ cooperative and association.
Rice farmers will not be included in the fuel program, as they are already receiving P5,000 under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA).
DA Central Luzon Director Crispulo Bautista, Jr. emphasized that all farmers and fisherfolk must register in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture to be included to the programs and project of the DA.
Present during the activity was Assistant Secretary-Designate for Operations Arnel De Mesa, BFAR Assistant Director for Operations Director Sammy Malvas, BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona, BFAR Region 3 Director Wilfredo Cruz, DBP Senior Vice President Ricardo Bandal, DBP Assistant Vice President Rallen Verdadero, Regional Technical Director Dr. Eduardo Lapuz, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications and Department Spokesperson Noel Reyes, and other officials.
