SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union - - The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 1 had started the distribution of fuel subsidy and cash aid to farmers and fishermen following the Commission on Election’s issuance to the agency of the clearance from the election spending ban.
DA Region 1 Director Nestor Domenden said the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), gave away discount cards worth P3000 each to 22 fisher-folks from Lingayen and Sual in Pangasinan at the Narciso Ramos Gymnasium in Lingayen.
The province of La Union has also started its distribution of the fuel subsidy to fisher-folks at the Sevilla Covered court, San Fernando City, La Union.
The beneficiaries were those who are registered under FishR and those who are using motorized boats of three gross tons or below and registered under BoatR and are using legal fishing gears.
Fuel subsidy was likewise extended to corn farmers who are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture or RSBSA.
In the Ilocos Region, a total of P36,882,000 cash aid were distributed to 12,244 corn farmers.
The province of Pangasinan has been allocated P17,151,000 to benefit a total of 5,717 corn farmers while the province of La Union has been allocated a total of P4,566,000 to benefit 1,522 corn farmers. Corn farmers from Pangasinan and La Union are to receive their fuel subsidy on a separate schedule while awaiting for the submission of a complete master list of beneficiaries from the LGUs.
In Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, the distribution activity was done on May 6.
Ilocos Norte received P6492,000 worth of fuel subsidy for its 2,164 farmers, while Ilocos Sur got P8,523,000 worth of fuel subsidy for its 2,841 farmers.
To avail of the project, corn farmers must be registered at the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture or RSBSA and encoded in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS).
In getting the discount voucher, they need to show proof of ownership of a functional machinery such as a certificate of Agricultural and Fishery Machinery and Equipment Registration from the City or Municipal LGUs, certification from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) that he/she is the owner of the functional machine; sales/cash invoice/delivery receipt/official receipts; deed of donation/sale or memorandum of agreement with transfer of property receipt/invoice receipt.
A program aimed at providing fuel discount to corn farmers and fisherfolk to enhance resiliency and cushion the impact from the surge of oil price hike while maximizing the utilization of farm machineries and equipment in their farming and fishing operations, the fuel discount program has a total budget of P500 million nationwide.
Along with the distribution of fuel subsidy, the DA-RFO I has likewise distributed the P5,000 worth of vouchers for the 50 beneficiaries of the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Program for CY 2021 in the amount of P250,000.