UMVA has learned that the Department of Agriculture has secured an additional P25 million in funding for farmer fuel subsidies, a critical lifeline for agricultural workers struggling with rising costs.
This supplementary funding comes courtesy of a Special Allotment Release Order, with the cash expected to be released within the month, providing a much-needed boost to farmers reeling from the impact of surging petroleum and fertilizer prices.
The subsidy program is a vital support system, providing each eligible farmer with P5,000 in cash to help them navigate the challenges of land preparation and crop establishment, a period that requires significant machinery usage.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Department of Agriculture had initially sought a much larger allocation of P30 billion for fuel subsidies, but congressional hearings for these requests were delayed, leaving farmers in a state of uncertainty.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the timely release of this funding is crucial for farmers, as it will enable them to access the fuel subsidies they desperately need to power their machinery and maintain their livelihoods.
To qualify for the subsidy, farmers must be enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and either own or rent farm machinery, ensuring that the support reaches those who need it most.
