Rising fuel prices strain Benguet farmers; DA rolls out support measures
BAGUIO CITY — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. met with vegetable farmers, truckers, and local officials from Benguet, Tinoc in Ifugao, and Bauko in Mountain Province on Wednesday, April 1, to address the impact of soaring fuel prices on the agriculture sector.
The meeting, held at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, centered on rising transport costs driven by increasing global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) response to these challenges.
Stakeholders reported that freight costs for transporting vegetables from farms to trading hubs and markets have surged significantly—doubling or even tripling in recent weeks. Farmers from Buguias noted that fuel expenses for a 2-ton truck rose from ₱4,000 to ₱8,000. Meanwhile, truckers said costs for trips from La Trinidad to Metro Manila jumped from ₱15,000 to ₱35,000. These increases could raise vegetable prices by around ₱1 to ₱2 per kilogram based on fuel costs alone.
In response, Tiu Laurel said the DA is preparing a fuel subsidy program for truckers to help stabilize deliveries and ease the burden on both transporters and farmers.
He emphasized the need for stronger coordination with local government units (LGUs) to balance supply, ensuring areas with shortages can be supported by regions with surplus production.
Despite the challenges, the agriculture chief assured the public that the country’s overall food supply remains stable.
As an immediate intervention, the DA has deployed its own fleet of trucks, along with vehicles managed by farmers’ cooperatives and LGUs, to transport vegetables from farms to trading centers and markets, with fuel costs shouldered by the agency.
Regional Director Jennilyn Dawayan said the DA is also working to widen market access by strengthening linkages between producers and potential buyers in coordination with other regional offices.
Further discussions are scheduled after Holy Week, involving the Food Terminal Inc. and other DA officials, to refine additional support measures for farmers and transport operators.
Tiu Laurel also noted that the government’s ₱20 rice initiative continues to gain momentum, with demand increasing in recent weeks, and said it will be expanded to help ease the impact of rising fuel costs on consumers.
He underscored that sustained coordination between national agencies and local governments will be key to stabilizing food distribution and protecting both farmers and consumers.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
