Metro Manila, Philippines – A farming, fisheries, and livestock group warned that some fishermen may be forced to hang up their nets because of rising fuel costs, adding that the government’s promised subsidy offers little relief.
According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), fishermen now lose around ₱500 daily after the price of diesel surged by as much as ₱24 per liter due to the Middle East crisis.
“Ang ginagawa ng iba ngayon, every other day na lang nagpapalaot kasi nga hindi na masustain ‘yung araw-araw,” SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet told a Senate hearing on Thursday, March 12.
[Translation: Some fishermen now go out to sea only every other day because they can no longer sustain fishing daily.]
Cainglet also expressed concern over statements that assistance for fisherfolk may only be released after two weeks.
“Baka kung after two weeks, wala nang mangisda kasi inaabsorb ng mga mangingisda yung losses daily,” Cainglet said.
[Translation: If it takes two weeks, there might no longer be anyone fishing because fishermen are already absorbing daily losses.]
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform, stressed the need to immediately provide fuel subsidies, noting that about 80% of fishing production costs come from fuel.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) national director Elizer Salilig said ₱50 million has already been deposited with the Development Bank of the Philippines for the fuel subsidy.
“Baka next week lalabas na ‘yung ating supplemental agreement [Our supplemental agreement may be released by next week],” he said, noting ongoing efforts to fast-track the distribution, starting with the poorest fisherfolk in fifth-class municipalities.
Why only ₱3,000?
Pangilinan, however, questioned the plan to distribute only ₱3,000 each, saying the amount may have been determined without taking current fuel prices into account.
Marlon Limboc, a barangay captain from Nasugbu, Batangas, said the ₱3,000 subsidy would only cover two to three days of fishing.
“Kulang talaga [It is really not enough],” Salilig admitted.
He said BFAR has requested an additional ₱25 million to expand the subsidy.
“In case there will be an augmentation of our budget then definitely we can raise it to ₱5,000,” BFAR Assistant Director for Administrative Services Zaldy Perez said.
Pangilinan also pointed out that the initial target beneficiaries of around 15,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to the more than 2.7 million registered fishermen in the country.
Perez clarified that only around 200,000 of them are registered owners of motorized bancas, making them eligible for the subsidy.
Department of Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa earlier said the agency is looking into tapping the Office of the President’s ₱10-billion fund under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program.
Malacañang on Wednesday announced that public utility vehicle drivers will receive ₱5,000 each starting next week. Cainglet, however, stressed that fisherfolk should also be prioritized.
