FISHERMEN purchase gas in Ajuy, Iloilo after receiving their subsidy. (BFAR-6)
ILOILO CITY – Around 3,000 fisherfolk in Western Visayas are set to receive fuel subsidy to ease the impact of the fuel crisis from the Middle East war.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-6, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), started the distribution last week in northern Iloilo province.
BFAR-6 Director Remia Aparri said each beneficiary will receive P3,000 worth of fuel that will lower daily expense by P500 per trip and enable them to allocate the amount to food and other necessities.
BFAR-6 is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo to expedite the distribution.
Aparri said they were able to immediately begin as there has been an existing subsidy prior to this year’s crisis.
Around 16,000 fisherfolk in Western Visayas are beneficiaries of the subsidy.
There are 34,454 registered municipal motorized fishing boats in Western Visayas. Each fishing boat averages around 132 liters of fuel per month worth P13,200.