DA chief: Fuel subsidy now covers farmers, fisherfolk

(Updated 4:57 p.m.) Farmers and fisherfolk are now included in the fuel subsidy that will be given by the Aquino administration, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala said Tuesday. At a press briefing in Malacañang, Alcala said he already submitted to Energy Secretary Rene Almendras a list of the beneficiaries although he could not give the exact number yet. “Nai-submit na namin sa office ni Secretary Almendaras yung listahan ng mga makina na nagko-consume ng petroleum products – fishing vessels, traktora, bomba sa patubig at yung mga binigyan ng food lane pass na bibigyan ng subsidy," he told reporters. (We’ve already submitted to Secretary Almendras’ office the list of machines that consume petroleum, like fishing vessels, tractors and pumps.) He said he was asked to submit the list after the proposal to provide fuel subsidy to the public transportation industry was presented to the Cabinet. “Nung mag-announce na magbibigay ng subsidy hindi naman kami pumayag na iwanan namin yung mga magsasaka at mga mangingisda (We couldn’t allow farmers and fishermen to be left out in the subsidy)," Alcala said. The lists of beneficiaries were gathered from the records of the Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) while the lists of tractors and water irrigation pumps were collated from the registered traders and municipal agriculturists nationwide. Alcala, however, could not give yet an exact number of the beneficiaries. “We have to check on the numbers. Mahirap na magkamali mas maraming tao na maggalit sa atin (a lot of people will be affected by a mistake on our part)," he said. He said he cannot say yet the amount of the assistance that will be given to farmers and fishermen, but added that they are hoping to give the subsidy “within the next two weeks." Earlier in the day, Malacañang hinted at expanding the fuel subsidy program for jeep and tricycle drivers to groups involved in transporting food products. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Palace may tap "wealthy" local government units to help out with the contingency funds for the subsidy expansion. President Benigno Simeon Aquino III earlier issued Executive Order No. 32 instituting the Public Transport Assistance program (PTAP) or Pantawid Pasada program of the government that initially allots P450 million to assist drivers and operators of public utility vehicles. The program partially subsidizes the average consumption of identified public transport group provided that they have legitimate franchises under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and they will be using “smart cards" to be issued soon by the Department of Energy. — LBG/KBK, GMA News