A total of 6,709 fishermen in Central Luzon will receive fuel discount cards from Department of Agriculture (DA).
The agency will fully roll-out the subsidy by April this year as contingency to ease the impact of oil price hike amid the crisis in Ukraine.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said about 500 fishermen in Zambales became the initial recipients of the program’s first tranche on Monday in a ceremonial awarding attended by DA Secretary William Dar.
Beneficiaries were each given P3,000 worth of fuel discount in a form of cash cards which can be claimed partially or all at once from partner oil companies.
In his message, Dar said DA earlier allotted about P500 million in fuel subsidy to fishermen and farmers affected by the increase in fuel prices and another P600 million will be available next month for the program’s second tranche.
Meanwhile, BFAR stressed strict guidelines on how beneficiaries can claim the assistance as only registered fishermen, cooperatives and associations are qualified to receive fuel discounts.
Registering their motorized municipal boats not exceeding to three gross tons is necessary through BFAR. (CLJD/RGP-PIA 3)