THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Luzon had allocated some P591,000 worth of fuel discount for farmers in the Province of Pampanga.

The allocation will benefit some 197 corn farmers from the Municipality of Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, Porac, Lubao, Magalang and Angeles City in line with Special Provision No. 20 of the General Appropriation Act (GAA) FY 2022.

The provision said the amount of P500 million will be allotted as a fuel discount to farmers and fisherfolk owning and operating agricultural and fishery machinery individually/farmer cooperatives and associations.

DA Central Luzon Regional Corn Program, in coordination with the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, prepared the official list of qualified corn farmers based on the eligibility such as the beneficiary must be RSBSA-registered and operates functional machinery with proof of ownership.

The ceremonial launching was held on May 24 at Kingsborough International Convention Center attended by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda among others.

"As fuel price rises, the government ought to enhance the resiliency and alleviate the effect of this on the farmers and fisherfolk who are using machinery and facilities beginning with land preparation until post-harvest," the DA said.