Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the government should expand its cash relief to farmers and fisherfolk, who are equally burdened by soaring pump prices, after the social welfare department and transportation regulators in Pangasinan released an P11.7-million cash aid to more than 2,000 jeepney drivers and operators in the province.
According to Escudero, the fuel differential subsidy he proposed earlier for public utility vehicles should also cover small farmers and fishermen, many of whom have been forced to cut operations or stay home entirely as gasoline and diesel costs continue to surge.
“Sana ay mabigyan ng karagdagang tulong ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda bukod sa nailaan na ng pamahalaan para sa kanila sapagkat hindi naman talaga sapat ang subsidiyang binibigay,” he stressed.
The veteran lawmaker explained that his proposed fuel differential subsidy is meant to cover the gap between normal pump prices and the fluctuating rates caused by continuing tension in the Middle East.
He said the aid should come in the form of direct cash assistance or fuel vouchers, provided by either the national government or local government units, to help drivers of public utility vehicles such as jeepneys and tricycles, and now extended to small farmers and fisherfolk to sustain operations amid the crisis.
“Hindi sila dapat maiwan sa anumang ayuda ng pamahalaan,” Escudero said.
Last month, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) reported that up to half of fisherfolk in Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, and Pangasinan have stopped going out to sea, while those who continue are limited to short trips yielding barely enough catch to cover fuel expenses.
Farmers are facing similar hardships. In some parts of Northern Luzon, vegetable growers have begun giving away unsold produce as high fuel and transport costs reduce buyers and make hauling crops to trading posts increasingly expensive. Others have cut harvests or delayed planting because irrigation, land preparation, and transport have become too costly to sustain.
“Araw‑araw silang lumalabas para magbigay ng pagkain sa ating hapag, pero sila mismo ay apektado sa pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo. Kailangan nila ng agarang tulong at suporta mula sa pamahalaang nasyonal at lokal,” he said.