More than 52,000 farmers and fisherfolk across the Philippines will receive fuel subsidies from the national government as the Marcos administration moves to shield food producers from the economic fallout of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
In a video statement released Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Department of Agriculture will distribute P3,000 fuel subsidies to over 26,000 farmers, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will extend the same amount to more than 26,000 fisherfolk beginning Thursday, March 19.
“Para naman sa mangingisda, ang BFAR ay magbibigay sa Huwebes, March 19 ng P3,000 na fuel subsidy sa mahigit 26,000 na mangingisda,” Marcos said.
The assistance does not stop at fuel support. Come April, both farmers and fisherfolk will receive an additional P2,000 each under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program.
“Magagamit po ito ng magsasaka sa kanilang hanapbuhay,” the President said.
The agricultural aid follows a separately announced subsidy package for tricycle drivers, which is set to begin Tuesday.
Marcos also called on local government units to tap their support funds to buy rice directly from farmers for distribution to their communities, and urged local officials to waive pass-through fees that could drive up costs along the supply chain.
On the aviation side, Marcos directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to reduce passenger service charges, landing fees, parking fees, and related airport levies — steps he said would ease the cost burden on airlines and help bring down airfares. The Civil Aeronautics Board has also been tasked with shortening its review period for fuel surcharges to allow faster fare adjustments as jet fuel prices fluctuate.
Government agencies have additionally been ordered to review existing permit and transaction policies to identify which requirements can be temporarily suspended to reduce the burden on the public.
“Ipagpapatuloy ng Department of Agriculture ang pamimigay ng P3000 na fuel subsidy sa mga magsasaka,” Marcos said. “Mahigit dalawamput anim na libong magsasaka ang mabibigyan nito.”
Addressing the broader public, Marcos framed the government’s response as a collective effort. “Asahan nyo ang patuloy naming paggawa ng hakbang upang maibsan ang mabigat na epekto ng kaganapan sa Gitnang Silangan sa taumbayan,” he said.
