PBBM Orders ?10-B Aid for Farmers, Fishers Amid Rising Fuel Costs
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the allocation of around ₱10 billion in assistance for farmers and fisherfolk affected by the recent surge in fuel prices, Malacañang announced on Thursday.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the directive seeks to expand the government’s fuel subsidy program by including more “food producers” among its beneficiaries.
According to Recto, the move aims to cushion the impact of global oil price increases driven by tensions in the Middle East, which threaten to push up food costs.
“We know that fuel inflation can trigger food inflation. That is what we are trying to mitigate,” Recto said. He explained that higher fuel costs limit fishing activities, resulting in reduced catch and more expensive fish in the market.
The government also recognizes that both farmers and fisherfolk rely heavily on fuel for their operations. Recto noted that modern farming depends on machinery such as tractors and harvesters, while fishing vessels are powered by gasoline or diesel engines—making fuel a major component of production costs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has been instructed to facilitate the immediate rollout of assistance.
Recto added that the Department of Agriculture already has the necessary systems in place to implement the program efficiently. “It is not a new program for the DA. They know the drill. They have the list. They have the institutional muscle memory,” he said.
The funding will come from the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) under the DA’s 2026 budget. However, the program is scheduled for release in the second or third quarter of the year.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to stabilize food prices and protect consumers from inflationary pressures.
NPO News Team - Philippine News Agency - PR
