DA Allots P604 Million Aid for Bicol Farmers, Fisherfolk Hit by Rising Fuel Costs
LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to roll out ₱604 million in financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in the Bicol Region affected by rising oil prices, with distribution expected to begin once funds are released.
During an online press briefing on Friday, Florentino Ubalde Jr., DA agricultural program coordinating officer for Albay, said each qualified beneficiary will receive ₱2,325 under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF).
“We are finalizing the official list of PAFF beneficiaries. For Bicol, the government allocated around ₱604 million for this program,” Ubalde said.
The aid is expected to benefit around 260,050 individuals, including more than 169,000 rice farmers, 50,970 corn farmers, 1,200 sugarcane farmers, and 38,400 fisherfolk across the region.
Ubalde said distribution could begin as early as next week, depending on the release of funds from the DA central office. The agency plans to conduct payouts through organized caravans in each municipality.
Only those registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) will qualify for the assistance, he added.
Beyond cash aid, the DA is also preparing additional support measures. These include the distribution of hybrid and inbred seeds, fertilizers, and fuel subsidies—₱3,000 for remaining qualified beneficiaries from 2023–2024, and ₱5,000 for those covered in 2025.
The agency is also coordinating with local price councils to monitor the cost of agricultural goods and ensure market stability amid ongoing economic pressures.
NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR
