After calling on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the timely release of fuel subsidy to PUV drivers amid the oil price hikes triggered by the tensions in the Middle East, Committee on Public Services Chairman Senator Raffy Tulfo also urged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to expedite and improve the process of releasing subsidies for fisherfolk.
Tulfo immediately coordinated with BFAR Assistant Director for Administrative Resources Zaldy Perez to question the tedious process of distributing subsidy to fisherfolk via voucher/card scheme to be used in partnered gas stations, instead of giving out cash – which Perez confirmed to be their current practice.
Like other ayuda practices such as 4Ps and Tupad, the legislator said fuel subsidies to fisherfolk should be directly deposited through the bank accounts of beneficiaries to immediately help cushion the impact of fuel price hikes.
Likewise, the lawmaker stressed that fuel subsidy per beneficiary should be increased from P3,000 to P5,000 to at least level the cash assistance they receive with that of PUV drivers.
“200,000 fisherfolk who own and operate motorized fishing boats are expected to receive fuel subsidy.”
According to Perez, 200,000 fisherfolk who own and operate motorized fishing boats that are registered under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are expected to receive fuel subsidy.
While Perez welcomed Tulfo’s suggestions, he said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) removed their option to directly give cash to beneficiaries.
That’s why the senator also called DBM Acting Director for Budget and Management Bureau Gemma Ilagan to verify this claim. Ilagan denied Perez’ claim, saying that DBM does not have a prohibition on direct cash release and that the card/voucher system is dependent on the guidelines set by BFAR.
Given their conflicting statement, Tulfo urged BFAR and DBM to discuss this matter to clarify the guidelines and come up with a plan that would ensure that fisherfolk would receive the fuel subsidy for 2025 in cash and without delays.
“Ang assistance para sa kanila ay dapat diretso sa kanila – on time at cash, wala nang pasikot sikot pa!”
“The process of distributing fuel subsidy to fisherfolk should be easier. Ang assistance para sa kanila ay dapat diretso sa kanila – on time at cash, wala nang pasikot sikot pa!” he stressed.
“Huwag na nating dagdagan pa ang hirap ng mga mangingisdang matagal nang lumalaban sa taas ng gastos at kakulangan sa kita,” Tulfo concluded.
