A TOTAL of 2,345 fisherfolks in Davao Region are set to receive a P3,000 fuel subsidy in June, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Davao on June 17, 2022.
Based on the data of BFAR-Davao, 496 of the beneficiaries are from Davao Oriental – the highest in the region – followed by 433 beneficiaries from Davao del Norte, 404 fisherfolks from Davao del Sur, 375 from Davao Occidental, 349 from Davao City, and the least beneficiaries from Davao de Oro with 288.
Ma. Erika Guerrero, focal person of the fuel subsidy program of BFAR-Davao, said only select fisherfolks are qualified to receive the fuel subsidy because Davao Region needs to meet the requirements set by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-BFAR, which are number of capture fisheries contribution, registered fisherfolks and motorized boats, and should be part of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Kaya lumiit ang allocation natin kasi dapat 15 percent part of the West Philippine Sea, so wala man gyod ta’y WPS diri,” Guerrero said. Thus, the allocated budget for the fuel subsidy in Davao Region for 2,345 fisherfolks totals to P5,229,000.
According to Guerrero, they are only awaiting the deposit and release of cash cards by DBP, which is expected to happen before the month of June ends.
She said the fuel subsidy was provided to give assistance for fisherfolks affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and rising fuel prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Inaantay pa naman ang go signal mula doon sa taas kasi nag sabay-sabay na lahat ng regions... Na-identify na itong mga tao na ito (most of beneficiaries),” Guerrero said, adding only 231 fisherfolks left to be identified for the subsidy.
The P3,000 subsidy is a one-time assistance that will be deposited to cash cards by funding partner the Development Bank of the Philippines and can only be used in select filling station partners for a gas up. It cannot be withdrawn or exchanged for cash.