Kiko calls for the timely assistance to farmers and fisherfolk
As another round of oil price increases are scheduled today (February 1), Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan called for the timely release of fuel discounts, seedlings, farm equipment, and other assistance to farmers and fisherfolk contained in the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“Kapag tumataas ang presyo ng krudo, direktang epekto nito ang pagtaas din ng presyo ng pagkain (Increases in the price of crude has a direct effect one food prices). Dapat protektahan ang taumbayan sa lalong kahirapan (Filipinos must be protected from poverty). Bukod sa pagsuspindi ng excise tax sa presyo ng langis, paspasan din ng DA ang pagbigay ng fuel subsidy, ayuda, farm inputs tulad ng pataba at binhi sa ating mga mga magsasaka (Aside from suspending excise tax on oil, the DA (Department of Agriculture) should accelerate the distribution of fuel subsidy, financial assistance, farm inputs such as fertilizers and seeds to farmers). Nakasaad na ‘yan sa batas (This is in the law), ” Pangilinan said.
In the 2022 GAA, the DA has P695 million in seed buffer stocking and P500 million in fuel discount.
For rice farmers, half of the earnings from rice import tariffs (over P11 billion as of September 2021) is allocated for rice farm equipment like tractors, threshers, irrigation pumps, among others.
The former food security secretary said that these interventions, including the suspension of the excise tax on fuel, are needed now.
Starting February 1, gasoline and diesel will increase by P0.75 per liter, while kerosene will have an additional P0.45 per liter increase.
As of January 31, the Department of Energy (DOE) has seen an increase of P7.20 per liter for diesel, P4.95 for gasoline, and P6.75 for kerosene, which Pangilinan describes as undue burden for Filipinos amid the pandemic.
According to Pangilinan, helping farmers and fisherfolk increase their incomes would also ease the burden for consumers.
If the government really wants to address poverty and hunger, the first thing it needs to consider is whether local farmers and fisherfolks are earning a decent living, he stressed.