TACLOBAN CITY – Over 6,000 fisherfolk beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas are set to receive fuel discount cards from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) to help them cope with the continuous increase in oil prices.
BFAR-Region 8 information officer Christine Gresola said the program aims to cushion the impact of the ongoing economic challenge which affects the fishing routine of the fisherfolk and disturbs the price trend of fishery commodities.
It also targets to maximize the utilization of agri-fishery machinery and facilities and enhance the resiliency of the fisherfolk beneficiaries.
Each fuel discount card will be loaded with P3,000 worth of fuel assistance from the BFAR-Region 8 through the Universal Storefront Services Corp. (USSC) and accredited gasoline stations.
A total of 5,898 fisherfolk beneficiaries are set to receive fuel discount cards within this year as the BFAR-Region 8 continues its regionwide caravan to reach those living in remote rural areas.
The beneficiaries were initially identified by their Municipal Agriculture Offices by meeting the basic qualifications set by the Department of Agriculture.
The recipients are registered under the Fisherfolk Registration System (FishR) or Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration System (BoatR), own or operate motorbancas three gross tons or below, and use legal fishing gears registered in the FishR.
In Leyte, 255 registered and qualified beneficiaries from Abuyog, Javier, MacArthur, Mayorga, Tanauan, and Palo received their fuel discount cards during the first day of the Fuel Subsidy Caravan on Tuesday, July 5.
The Fuel Subsidy Caravan will visit the remaining 16 coastal municipalities in Leyte this week under Tranche 1 of assistance distribution in the region.