Fuel subsidy for agri sector pushed amid high oil prices

IN light of the persistent surge in petroleum prices, a lawmaker has urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to facilitate the registration of farmers and fishermen in the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to enable them to benefit from the agency’s fuel subsidy program.

Rep. Wilbert T. Lee of the AGRI Party-list emphasized the need to modernize and streamline the RSBSA registration process, citing the unfortunate circumstance wherein many agricultural workers fail to receive assistance due to inaccuracies or omissions in the registry.

“Given the burdens they bear, it’s regrettable that they’re not receiving the help they deserve,” Lee said last Thursday.

Apart from urging and assisting the DA in RSBSA registration, Lee underscored the importance of expediting and simplifying the requirements for registering machinery and boats to qualify for the fuel subsidy.

The DA recently announced it has allocated P500 million to provide a one-time P3,000 fuel subsidy for farmers and fishermen who have their machinery and boats registered. The latter should have boats not exceeding three metric tons in order to qualify.

Diesel prices increased by P0.95 per liter this week, while gasoline prices rose by P0.40 per liter. Oil firms raised pump prices last week by P1.10 per liter for gasoline, P1.55 for diesel, and P1.40 for kerosene.

The lawmaker appealed to the DA to give time for farmers and fishermen to register their equipment as the department finalizes its guidelines for the subsidy.

“The DA should grant our agricultural workers the opportunity to register with RSBSA while subsidy guidelines are pending,” Lee said. “When the subsidy distribution commences, the DA should utilize the latest registry to ensure equitable distribution.”

The lawmaker also urged the DA to consider giving another round of fuel subsidies in the second half of the year if fuel prices continue to soar.

“Given the frequent and substantial increases in petroleum prices, a one-time P3,000 subsidy is insufficient,” Lee said. “While the oil price surge persists, the DA should consider providing another round of subsidy before year-end to alleviate the burdens of our farmers and fishers, easing their worries about unforeseen expenses, particularly if a family member falls ill.”

During the past budget deliberations in Congress, Lee persistently called on the House leadership to provide an additional budget to update and streamline the effectiveness of RSBSA and for the swift delivery of fuel subsidies to farmers and fishermen.