Around 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural transport drivers across the country are set to receive P3 billion in fuel assistance starting this month. The initiative forms part of directive measures from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to cushion the agricultural sector from ongoing high fuel costs and the lingering operational impacts of El Niño.
Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez confirmed that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is distributing the funds under the administration’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) framework. The program was launched in March to mitigate economic shocks stemming from elevated global crude prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
To ensure rapid disbursement, the DA is partnering with the Land Bank of the Philippines to streamline payouts across its nationwide branch and automated teller machine (ATM) network.
Under the assistance package, eligible farmers and fisherfolk will receive a one-time fuel subsidy of P5,000 to offset operating costs for mechanized farm machinery, such as tractors, and motorized fishing bancas. Meanwhile, haulers transporting farm produce to urban centers will receive a weekly fuel subsidy of P2,000 to sustain frequent farm-to-market logistics, including distribution routes servicing Metro Manila.
In tandem with the direct cash assistance, Perez revealed that the DA is coordinating with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and expressway concessionaires to establish a temporary toll holiday or discount program for agricultural transport vehicles running through December 31.
“Dagdag sa fuel subsidy, mayroon po kaming inaayos na toll holiday or discount para rin sa agri truckers,” Perez said. “Mayroon na pong sulat ang Toll Regulatory Board para sa ating mga tollway operator. Hiningan na sila ng komento. Kasi ang hinihingi po natin ay ituloy na iyan hanggang katapusan ng taong ito. Hanggang December 31. Ito po iyong pinag-uusapan ngayon. Sana mapagbigyan tayo.”
The rollout comes as global crude benchmarks maintain elevated trading levels, with Brent crude reaching $100 per barrel on September 9 due to renewed US-Iran tensions. The fuel relief targets agricultural workers and logistics operators, for whom fuel accounts for a major share of overall production and distribution costs.