NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — In the wake of rising oil prices exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a party-list lawmaker representing the agriculture sector urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reconsider its decision to deny the Department of Agriculture’s request for a spending ban exemption on the fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk nationwide.

Magsasaka Rep. Argel Cabatbat stated in a statement that the DA’s PHP500 million subsidy in the form of fuel discount cards will provide targeted support to vulnerable sectors, benefiting about 160,000 farmers and fishermen.

“May PHP500 sanang nakalaan na financial help sa porma ng discount card para sa agrikultura manggagawa.” Higit 160,000 farmers and fishermen ang makakatanggap ng diskwento sa krudo na halagang PHP3,000 (Around PHP500 million has been set aside for financial aid in the form of discount cards for our agricultural employees.) Around 160,000 farmers and fishermen would enjoy a PHP3,000 gasoline discount),” Cabatbat added.

Despite the election spending restriction, Cabatbat praised Comelec’s decision to allow the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board to continue distributing fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle drivers and operators.

“Ano ba ang driver’s pagkakaiba, magsasaka at mangingisda?” Is it true that nagdurusa sa pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at bilihin is pare-pareho? Dapat may exemption ang DA, kailangang umabot na ang tulong na ito sa farmers at fisherfolk na luging-lugi na luging-lugi na luging-lugi na luging-lugi na luging-lugi na luging-lugi na luging-lugi na luging-lugi (What is the difference between drivers, farmers, and fishermen?) Isn’t it true that they’ve all been affected by rising fuel and basic commodities prices? The DA should also be spared [from the election spending prohibition] since they need to help farmers and fishermen),” he added.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) released Memorandum Circular No. 7, series of 2022, dated March 7, 2022, on the implementing rules for providing fuel discounts to farmers and fishermen, allocating PHP500 million. The fuel discount will be applied to all corn-related machinery, from land preparation to post-harvest activities, as well as motorized boats employed in fishing operations.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar urged Comelec to exempt farmers and fishermen from the fuel subsidy ban, arguing that a month-long prohibition would deprive them of critical government assistance to help them cope with rising prices.

“One month is plenty of time to deny the farmers our involvement.” In an interview, Dar stated, “[Our interventions] have no [political] colors.”

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