ILOILO City – Malacañang has ordered the rapid rollout of fuel subsidies and cash assistance to thousands of farmers and fisherfolk in Western Visayas, as surging fuel prices and persistent inflation threaten to erode incomes and disrupt food production in the region.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the directive from Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscores the urgency of cushioning primary producers from the economic spillover of global tensions, particularly in the Middle East.
“Utos po ng Pangulo… na wala pong maiiwan, lalo na sa nararanasan natin ngayon na epekto ng krisis sa Middle East,” Castro said, noting that the government is closely tracking the impact of international developments on fuel prices and production costs.
As part of immediate interventions, around 3,000 fisherfolk in Western Visayas are set to receive fuel subsidies, while a broader program is expected to benefit approximately 16,000 individuals in the region.
Castro said there are about 34,454 registered municipal motorized fishing boats eligible for support, with each projected to receive about 132 liters of fuel monthly — equivalent to P13,200.
The Palace is also accelerating the distribution of aid under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk program, which is expected to cover more than 380,400 beneficiaries across Western Visayas.
“Inutusan din po ni Pangulo si Secretary Kiko Laurel na siguraduhin na lahat ng magsasaka at fisherfolk ay maabutan ng ayuda,” Castro added, referring to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Beyond agriculture and fisheries, the government is extending support to other sectors hit by rising fuel costs. Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is preparing cash aid for tricycle drivers in the region.
The Palace acknowledged that despite rising production costs, many farmers and fisherfolk continue to grapple with low farmgate prices — highlighting the need for sustained and targeted interventions.
“These interventions are meant to directly reach those who need them most,” Castro said, “so that even in times of crisis, they are supported and not left behind.”/PN
