Poor fishers to get fuel subsidy

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has authorized Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) national director Demosthenes Escoto to implement the grant of fuel assistance to fisherfolk.

In a special order signed on Dec. 22, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Escoto would sign documents to transfer funds from the BFAR to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to implement the Fuel Assistance to Fisherfolk Project.

“This order shall take effect immediately,” the order read.

BFAR will implement the undertaking together with the DBP and its accredited financial technology partners.

A total of P489.55 million was allocated for the project under this year’s national budget.

The amount will be used for fuel assistance, including the operating expense incurred in the distribution of the assistance.

Fisherfolk who own and operate motorized fishing  boats individually or through a fisherfolk organization, cooperative or association are entitled to the fuel subsidy.

Fishers should be listed in the DA’s registry system for the basic sectors in agriculture.

Their fishing vessels should be registered either in the boat registry system of the BFAR or concerned local government unit.

Under the program, the BFAR central office and its regional offices may deduct one to 1.5 percent of the subsidy for administrative and other operational expenses.

BFAR will implement the program based on the guidelines issued by the DA and in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas had earlier said the amount allocated for the project is insufficient for more than two million registered fishermen nationwide.