PNoy: Farm sector may get input subsidy – not fuel

Rather than subsidize fuel, the government will likely opt to provide P2 billion in farm input subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk affected by rising prices of the commodity, the President said Tuesday. In an interview after a lake-seeding activity in Jala-Jala, Rizal, President Benigno Aquino III said the government will assist the agriculture and fisheries sectors by providing funds for buying seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Aquino explained that the move will ensure that assistance is “directed" to the people in need of it. “Ayaw nating magkaroon ng maraming leakages — iyon bang hindi kasali ay bigla na lang nakipila at sila ang nakinabang," he said. The government on Monday said it will exclude farmers and fisherfolk from its fuel subsidy program, citing the difficulty of directing the subsidy to deserving beneficiaries. Speaking with reporters after the Gawad Saka awarding ceremonies in Malacañang, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala noted that most farmers who use fuel-run tractors are well-off, and that the government cannot identify the poor ones who use small motor pumps. Another alternative to subsidizing fuel is implementing a “food for work" program for farmers and fisherfolk, according to a report on GMA News TV’s “Dobol B sa News TV" on Tuesday.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Seeding Laguna Lake Meanwhile, at the event where he spoke, the President led the seeding of the Laguna de Bay to boost the population of tilapia and bighead carp in the lake and to improve the livelihood of fishermen in the area. Aquino and his party, composed of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and other government officials, released 200,000 tilapia and bighead carp fingerlings during the activity. “Ang humigit-kumulang 200,000 fingerlings ng tilapia at bighead carp na pinapakawalan natin ngayon ay maghahatid ng mas masaganang palaisdaan at dagdag na kabuhayan para sa ating mga kakabayan," Aquino said. “Malinaw ang daing sa atin ng Laguna Lake. Ang tagal natin siyang pinakinabangan at obligasyon nating suklian ang kanyang pag-aaruga. Pagmalasakitan natin siya upang patuloy pa rin tayong buhusan ng samu’t-saring yaman at pagkakakitaan," the President added. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News