Amid the massive fuel price hike caused by the Middle East conflict, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday, March 12, appealed to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast track the drafting of the implementing guidelines for the release of the P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk.
This is on top of the P75 million that the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) can tap from its 2025 allocation for the immediate cash assistance to some 15,000 farmers and fisherfolk beneficiaries. 

“Can we also request the DA through the BFAR, ifast track na ninyo yung guidelines dito sa Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk. Yan ay 10 billion pesos,” he said during the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform’s hearing. 

Pangilinan is chair of the agriculture committee. 

“At isama yung illegibility sa fuel subsidy sana dito sa cash assistance na ito. Because now more than ever we need this. It’s already March. Mataas ang presyo ng krudo, tataas pa (as) anticipated. So kinakailangan itong cash assistance mapabilis,” he added. 

The senator’s call comes amid the conflict in the Middle East, from where more than 90% of the country’s fuel needs are sourced. 

In a separate media interview, the lawmaker lamented that the P3,000 initial cash assistance that will be given to the beneficiaries under the P75-million allocation will not be enough to cover the needs of the sector. 

He also explained that the continuous rise in fuel prices, which account for 80% of total fishing production costs, will lead to higher prices for fish and other seafood products. 

“Kaya ang panawagan natin kanina, ilabas na ang guidelines. Kasi ngayon kailangan na ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga mangingisda, itong suporta dahil ang taas ng presyo ng krudo,” Pangilinan stressed. “Dapat right away. Right away. Kasi ngayon na nila kailangan dahil hirap eh.”

The senator vowed to “work towards being able to reach” as many farmers and fisherfolk as possible with the cash assistance, promising also to find more ways to provide much-needed fuel subsidy for the affected sector. 

In his bid to cushion consumers from the impact of the sudden spikes in fuel prices, he also filed Senate Bill No. 1940 last March 9 to give the President the power to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes during national or global economic emergencies.