Some 617 LDN corn farmers and fishers get their fuel discount cards loaded at P3K each to purchase gasoline or diesel to help them continue operating their farm machineries and motorized boats.

 

Tubod, Lanao del Norte – The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Corn program and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed P1.851-million worth of fuel discount cards under the Fuel Discount for Farmers and Fisherfolk (FDFF) program to 617 qualified corn farmers and fishers of Lanao del Norte province to cushion the effect of escalating fuel prices in ensuring food security.

DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-10) Regional Executive Director Milo D. delos Reyes assured the farmers and fishers of the department’s production support, especially in terms of providing fuel subsidy to enable them to continue operating their farm machineries used in corn production from land preparation to postharvest activities as well as motorized boats for fishing operations.

Recipients consisted of 241 corn farmers and 376 fishers from the towns of Baroy, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Salvador, Kauswagan, Tubod, and Lala.

Each discount card was loaded with Php3,000.00, where farmers and fishers can purchase diesel or gasoline from any Department of Energy (DOE)-accredited gasoline stations.

FDFF beneficiaries must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and included in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS) or registered under FishR, and own agricultural and fishery machinery with proof of ownership.

Previously, only corn farmers and fishers are eligible to receive the fuel discount vouchers under DA’s FDFF, but as per DA Memorandum Circular 32, DA now is increasing its recipients’ portfolio.

“The coverage of the fuel discount shall be expanded to include all agricultural commodities. The program will therefore cover all farm machinery with attached proof of ownership that is being used for crop production as well as motorized banca for fishing operations,” BFAR Provincial Fishery Officer for Lanao del Norte Noel M. Saldajeno explained.

Meolina G. Yorong, one of the recipients from the municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, expressed that despite challenges on fuel price hikes and soaring prices of fertilizers, DA still found a way to assist and empower them as producers of food.

The FDFF Program created through Special Provision No. 20 of the General Appropriations Act of 2022, is implemented in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines, Universal Storefront Services, Corp., DOE, and local government units, among others. # (JCAnito)