The Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched a P75-million fuel assistance program to help fisherfolk cope with sustained increases in fuel prices and ongoing market disruptions.
The program, implemented through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will initially benefit more than 15,000 fisherfolk nationwide. Officials said the assistance may be expanded further through additional funding under the Presidential Assistance Program for Farmers and Fisherfolk.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative is part of government efforts to provide immediate relief to the sector while addressing broader challenges affecting food production and distribution.
Strengthening logistics and market support
Aside from fuel subsidies, the DA is also boosting its Kadiwa operations to support vegetable farmers in Benguet and nearby provinces affected by oversupply, weak demand, and high transport costs.
To improve the movement of agricultural goods, the agency has also requested the use of 38 trucks previously allocated to farmers’ cooperatives and associations as well as local government units. These will complement five existing Kadiwa trucks in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The DA said the added logistics support aims to reduce transport costs and help ensure farm produce reaches markets more efficiently.
Fuel prices remain elevated
The rollout comes as fuel prices continue to rise, with oil firms implementing another round of increases last week. This marks the 13th straight week of hikes for gasoline and the 15th consecutive week for diesel and kerosene.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy earlier projected possible price rollbacks based on international trading trends, estimating reductions of P4.43 per liter for gasoline, P20.89 for diesel, and P8.50 for kerosene, depending on global market movements.
