Rep. Argel Cabatbat of the Magsasaka party-list urges the government to immediately release P500 million in fuel subsidy and other assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by recent oil price hikes.
Cabatbat made the call as local fuel prices went up for the eighth straight week this year.
In a statement, Cabatbat prodded the government to immediately release the P500- million fuel subsidy to farmers and fisherfolk as provided for in Special Provision 20 of the 2022 General Appropriations Act.
It states that a total of P500 million will be used to provide fuel discounts to the agriculture sector when prices of crude oil reach $80 per barrel for three months.
The fuel subsidy will be given to those who own and operate agricultural and fishery machinery, be it individually or an organization, cooperative, or association.
“The successive increase in oil prices has an indirect effect on the prices of farm inputs. This is especially since farmers and fisherfolk are already bearing the brunt of skyrocketing costs of fertilizers and the unreasonably low farm-gate prices of their produce,” Cabatbat said. (©Philippine Daily Inquirer 2021)
