By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it will release the P10 billion worth of financial aid to farmers and fishers on April 15, in line with the Marcos Jr. administration’s response to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on the agriculture sector.
In an interview, DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the assistance would be released simultaneously nationwide.
“Bukas, ire-release na yung Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF), that’s P10 billion for 4.175 million farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.
Earlier, the DA said each eligible beneficiary will receive cash assistance amounting to P2,325.
Most of the more than four million beneficiaries come from the rice sector, totaling 2.197 million. This was followed by 1.475 million corn producers, more than 102,000 sugar farmers, and about 399,000 fishers nationwide.
The PAFF is a financial aid on top of the fuel subsidies earlier released to registered farmers and fishers.
Other funds, including the P1 billion quick response fund (QRF) and unused fuel subsidy budget from previous years, are being eyed to further cushion the impact of rising oil prices on local food producers.
Toll fees waived
Meanwhile, Laurel said they have secured a commitment from toll operators to waive fees for agricultural commodities.
“From what I understand, mag-a-announce today ‘yung mga nakausap naming toll operators, at pumayag sila kahapon na tanggalin ‘yung toll fees sa mga agri trucks,” he said.
The DA chief said these include the South Luzon Expressways, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, and Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressways, among others.
The DA has also assured logistics assistance through the deployment of food trucks to ensure the delivery of agricultural commodities from farms to trading posts or local markets.
