Metro Manila, Philippines – Cabinet officials said they are preparing a new fuel subsidy for the farming, fishing, and transport sectors under a financial assistance program for vulnerable sectors in light of rising pump prices.
In a press statement, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agriculture sector will be the first to receive assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), considering that a huge portion of their expenses goes to operating their palay harvesters and motorized bancas.
De Mesa said the administration is also looking into reimplementing waived tolls for vehicles transporting agricultural products from northern to southern Luzon so that the transportation costs won’t be passed to the consumers.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez asked for understanding from transport workers, assuring them that the government is doing what it can to control the situation through different initiatives such as fuel subsidies.
Lopez said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is assessing concerns raised by operators, drivers, and commuters in relation to the fare increase petition.
He said the impact on inflation must be factored into the process.
