The Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon (DA-3) has distributed some PHP2.7 million worth of fuel subsidies to corn farmers in Tarlac as part of its continuing effort to help ease the impact of the rising oil prices in the agricultural sector.

DA Corn Banner Program Coordinator Adela Peñalba said on Friday that each of the 900 qualified corn farmers in Tarlac received PHP3,000 worth of fuel discount card on Aug. 17 and 18.

“The agency aims to lessen the repercussions in the corn industry caused by the oil price hike not only in this country but also worldwide,” Peñalba said in social media post.

Tarlac Provincial Agriculturist Alicia Cruz thanked the DA for continuously supporting the farmers.

She said the fuel discount will lessen the farmers’ expenses in corn production, from land preparation to postharvest and processing activities.

“Ang mga magsasaka ng mais sa lalawigan ng Tarlac ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa pagbibigay ng fuel discount na isang malaking tulong dahil sila ay apektado sa pagtaas ng mga produktong petrolyo na isa sa mga kinakailangan sa pagpapatubig ng kanilang sakahan (The corn farmers of the province of Tarlac are grateful for the fuel discount which is a big help because they are affected by the rising cost of petroleum products which they use in irrigating their fields),” Cruz said.

Beneficiaries can use the discount card to purchase either gasoline or diesel from the partner/accredited gasoline stations.

For corn farmer Jeric Dumlao, the continuous support of the DA to them is indeed a big matter.

“Tatlong taon na po akong nagsasaka at ito pong binigay ng DA ay talaga naman pong magagamit ko po sa makinarya, salamat po sa patuloy na ayudang inyong ibinibigay para sa mga tulad kong magsasaka (I have been into farming for three years and I can use the fuel subsidy given by DA for my machinery. Thank you for the continuous assistance being given to farmers like me),” he said.

The DA targets to give fuel subsidy to some 2,550 corn farmers in the entire Central Luzon.

To qualify for the fuel subsidy, corn farmers must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, included in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System, and own machinery with proof of ownership.

The fuel subsidy program was launched in the region on March 21, this year.

Aside from corn farmers, qualified fisherfolk are also entitled to fuel discounts.

Rice farmers, meanwhile, are not included in the program as they are already receiving PHP5,000 under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance. (PNA)