Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will roll out the fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk this month.</p><p>During Monday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, DA Director Lorna Calda said there is P100 million in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which will benefit 14,400 farmers and 15,669 fisherfolk who will receive P5,000 and P3,000 each, respectively.</p><p>The said fuel subsidy is a one-time aid, according to Calda, but there is also the P10 billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fishermen, which will benefit around 4.17 million farmers and fisherfolk. Each beneficiary will get P2,325.</p><p>“Aside from this po, Secretary Laurel is requesting for the release of the RCEP fund, at least amounting to 7 billion for the RFFA, yung Rice Farmers Financial Assistance. We’re requesting na ma-release na po ito. Kapag ni-release po ito, kapag napondohan, each rice farmers will receive 3,200 po,” Calda said.</p><p>She admitted that there was a delay in the release of the fuel subsidy because they needed to organize the list of beneficiaries.</p><div><br/><strong>DSWD</strong></div><p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which was also present in the hearing, was asked by Committee chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo if it already has a target sector to help after the transport sector.</p><p>“Sa ngayon, wala pa pong pinag-uusapan ano yung next sector. But in terms of funding, meron po. It’s been publicly announced na half of AICS will be specifically set aside for this crisis,” said DSWD Undersecretary Aliah Dimaporo.</p><p>Tulfo asked, “Yung mga nagtatrabaho sa fast food, sa grocery, etc. Kasi apektado din po sila, Usec. Dimaporo. You know that and I know that. Dahil hindi naman po kalakihan yung suweldo. Kahit yung malalaki po yung sweldo, umaaray. Meron na po ba tayong target na yan?”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/4/3/oil-prices-soar-anew-in-first-days-of-april-2301">Oil prices soar anew in first days of April<br/></a></div><p>“Pag-uusapan pa lang po, Mr. Chairman, but you will be the first to get the list of the sectors that we will be helping,” Dimaporo replied.</p><p>She recognized that ayuda is only a stopgap measure and said it could be extended in the short term.</p><p>“In the short term, which could reach up to June and July, the next three months, kaya pa naman. But it would also depend on budget prioritization. We would be, if we do run out, we would be asking replenishment of our funds and that would be a question of how this is prioritized all across the agencies and all across the national government. But 100%, rest assured, Honorable Chair, the DSWD will deliver as instructed,” Dimaporo assured.</p><p>Meanwhile, she said that conditions for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act will be waived, as provided for in the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations during situations of force majeure.</p><p>“The program will still go as planned, na makukuha pa rin nila yung grants and the conditions will be waived in situations of force majeure. So, hindi po apektado ang benefits of our 4Ps beneficiary,” Dimaporo said.</p><p>She also said that funding for other DSWD programs remains intact.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/4/drivers-delivery-riders-call-for-long-term-solutions-as-fuel-prices-shrink-income-1353">Drivers, delivery riders call for long-term solutions as fuel prices shrink income</a></div><div><br/><strong>DOLE, DBM</strong></div><p>The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), for its part, said it allocated P1.2 billion as support to the government response.</p><p>“We’ll be drawing our funds from our two major social protection flagship programs, and this is TUPAD and the livelihood programs. Meron na po kaming inisyal na mga pag-uusap, specifically for the transport sector in coordination with DOTr for our TUPAD na program for Tuloy Pasada. Apart from the transport sector, yung pondo po will really be allocated for all the vulnerable workers that will be affected by the crisis,” said DOLE Assistant Secretary Adeline De Castro.</p><p>Tulfo also asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) if the government will still have enough funds if the crisis persists.</p><p>DBM Atty. Trisha Baraan said, “The economic managers are well aware of the crisis po ngayon, but we are closely coordinating po to ensure that there will be funds available po for all the programs and projects po that will be needed for the purpose.”</p><p>Tulfo appealed to government agencies to think of other ways to help those affected by the crisis, saying a one-time relief will not cut it.</p><p>“Let&#x27;s put our heads together to work para sa mga kababayan po natin. We, the government agencies, this is our job. Tayo po dapat manguna dito,” Tulfo remarked.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/7/piston-kmu-stage-protest-vs-oil-price-hikes-1354">PISTON, KMU stage protest vs oil price hikes</a></div>

<p>The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will roll out the fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk this month.</p>

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will roll out the fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk this month.

Agri dept to roll out fuel subsidy for farmers, fisherfolk this April

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Agri dept to roll out fuel subsidy for farmers, fisherfolk this April

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 07, 2026 03:47 PM PHT

Read More:

department of agriculture

fuel subsidy

dswd

erwin tulfo

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