BFAR eyes P3,000 fuel subsidy for small fishermen

Small-scale fishermen may soon receive a fuel subsidy of P3,000 each from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), although officials acknowledged the amount may be insufficient amid rising fuel prices.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform on Thursday, BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig said the agency currently has P50 million set aside for the program, which could benefit around 15,669 fishermen.

“Naka-deposit po yung ating budget na 50 million for our fuel subsidy. Yun po ay baka next week, Sir, lalabas na po yung ating supplemental agreement,” Salilig said during the hearing.

Salilig expressed hope that the subsidy would be released soon but noted that P3,000 may not go far for fishermen grappling with higher operating costs.

He said BFAR asked for an additional P25 million to expand the program.

The Philippines has about 2.7 million registered fisherfolk but the subsidy will not cover all of them.

According to BFAR Assistant Director Zaldy Perez, the assistance will prioritize operators of motorized fishing boats.

“Hindi po lahat ito covered ng fuel subsidy. Kasi ang fuel subsidy po yung may motorized banca lang po, Mr. Chair. So we have this boat registration na nasa 200,000 po ang registered motorized bancas. So that is our priority in giving the fuel subsidy,” Perez said.

For its part, the Department of Agriculture said fishermen from fifth-class municipalities will be prioritized in the distribution.

DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Bayate said the program aims to assist those in poorer coastal communities first.

Committee chair Francis Pangilinan, however, pointed out that P3,000 may be too small given current fuel prices.

Perez explained that the amount was determined based on the available budget and the number of boats targeted under the program.

“Three thousand po kasi yung dinetermine natin it’s because our target po is 150 to 200,000 boats. So if we will times 3,000, your honor, it’s 400 million something po. So that’s why 3,000 yung cap-up natin. But if in case that there will be an augmentation of our budget, then definitely, your honor, we can add it to raise it to 5,000,” Perez said.

On the ground, however, fishermen say the assistance may only cover a few days of fuel.

Barangay Captain Marlon Limboc of Papaya in Nasugbu, Batangas said the P3,000 subsidy could last only two to three days, or even less depending on fuel prices.

The Samahan ng Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) also warned that many fishermen are already struggling to keep operating.

“Mapa-aqua or mapa-capture fish, ang estimate nila is 40-50 liters sila kada araw. So ang ginagawa nung iba ngayon, every other day na lang nagpapalaot. Kasi nga di na masusustain yung araw-araw sila para makahuli,” said SINAG Executive Director Jason Cainglet.

“Ang actual loss ngayon ng mga mangingisda is 500 a day,” he added.

Cainglet also raised concern that delays in releasing assistance could further worsen the situation.

“Ibibigay daw yung ayuda in the next two weeks. Kaya lang baka kung after two weeks wala nang mangisda kasi inaabsorb ng mga mangingisda yung losses daily. Naka-focus tayo sa transport, sa mga jeepney driver, sa mga tricycle driver, pero mas kawawa yung mangingsida,” he said.

“Yung mga jeep puwedeng huminto ng ilang oras eh, yung mangingisda hindi ka naman puwedeng hindi, o mangisda ka ng dalawa isang oras lang. Talagang kailangan mong lumayo para makapanghuli.”

Pangilinan urged agencies to expedite the distribution of the subsidy.

He also asked BFAR to fast-track the release of guidelines for the P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk program under the Department of Agriculture.

“Iba yung 75 million na nakapaloob na sa DA-BFAR, iba pa yung 10 billion na nasa DA din na wala pang guidelines. So iba pa yung pinag-uusapan nating dagdag na assistance na maaaring ipasa ng Senado sa mga minumungkahing fuel and cash assistance,” Pangilinan said.

“Talagang we have to act fast,” he added. “We will work towards being able to reach as much.”

-Paraluman News