ILOILO — Hundreds of fisherfolk in Concepcion, Iloilo have received government fuel assistance as rising diesel prices continue to squeeze small-scale fishing operations and threaten the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on the Visayan Sea.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6 reported that the fuel subsidy program has already benefited 278 fisherfolk in the municipality through fuel vouchers aimed at helping reduce operational costs for fishing activities.
The first batch of assistance was released on Jan. 29, 2026, covering 100 beneficiaries who each received fuel vouchers worth P3,000.
Another 178 fisherfolk received the same assistance during a second distribution on May 12, 2026, as part of the government’s continuing support for the fishing sector.
BFAR-6 said the program was implemented to cushion the impact of escalating fuel prices on fisherfolk whose income heavily depends on daily fishing operations.
Each beneficiary underwent a verification and documentation process to ensure that qualified fisherfolk received the aid.
Mark Rufino, Fisheries Extension Officer of the Concepcion local government unit, thanked fisherfolk for their cooperation during the distribution process.
“The beneficiary list was developed from our municipality’s registry of qualified fisherfolk,” Rufino said.
He also commended BFAR for continuously extending assistance to the fishing sector, describing the fuel subsidy as a vital support mechanism for struggling fishing families.
Among the beneficiaries was Noel Castillon, 52, a fisherman from the Tambaliza Fisherfolk Association – Proper B Chapter who has spent more than a decade fishing in the Visayan Sea using a diesel-powered plywood boat and traditional fishing methods.
“Thank you for giving us the fuel subsidy. It helps us a lot because instead of spending all our money on fuel, we can save some and allocate it to our emergency fund,” Castillon said in Hiligaynon.
Castillon said he consumes about three liters of fuel daily or around 21 liters weekly for his fishing trips. During peak fishing season, he stays at sea for up to a week, but during lean months he can only fish two to three days weekly.
His average catch can reach 15 kilograms during favorable months but may decline to only four to five kilograms during poor fishing conditions, reflecting the uncertainty faced by fisherfolk amid changing weather patterns and fluctuating market conditions.
BFAR-6 said the fuel assistance program seeks to help fisherfolk sustain their livelihood and continue providing food for their families and communities despite increasing operational challenges./PN
