SIQUIJOR, Siquijor, August 19 (PIA) -- At least 98 corn farmers from the Province of Siqujor recently received fuel subsidy discount from the Department of Agriculture through the Provincial Agricultural Technology and Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) Siquijor.
According to a report from the DA-PATCO here, each farmer received P3,000 worth of fuel subsidy loaded into cash cards.
The beneficiaries will use this cash card in making their fuel purchase transactions in partner fuel stations.
In its press release, DA-PATCO said the granting of fuel subsidy discount to farmers is in accordance with the DA’s key strategies to extensively promote mechanization to modernize and enhance productivity in agriculture and fishery sectors.
Farmer beneficiaries are members of farmer associations and cooperatives owning and operating agricultural machinery and equipment and were duly registered in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA).
The farmer associations are Caitican Farmers Association (Siquijor), Catulayan Community Multi-purpose Cooperative (San Juan), Lomangcapan United Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (Enrique Villanueva), and Liloan-Saguing Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (Maria).
According to DA 7 Regional Corn Program Coordinator Senador Ponce, the provision for fuel discount is aimed at cushioning the impact of oil price hike and maximizing the utilization of the machineries and facilities.
“Kaning ayuda sa fuel subsidy under sa Corn Program nagkantidad ni ug P3,000 kada farmer. Gamiton ni nila sa pagpalit ug gasoline or krudo nga magamit nila sa ilang makinarya sama sa traktor, corn sheller ug corn mill (This fuel subsidy under the Corn Program is worth P3,000 for each farmer which they can use in buying gasoline or crude oil for their machineries like tractor, corn sheller, and corn mill)," said Ponce.
“Daku gyud kaayo nig tabang nila especially karon nga grabe kaayo ang pagtaas sa presyo sa lana (This is a big help for them especially with the oil price hike)," added Ponce.
Maria Oca, a corn farmer from Minalulan, Maria, said they are grateful for the program.
“Gapasalamat gyud kaayo mi kay dako na gyud kaayo nig tabang namo sa among gastuhan ilabi na sa pagtraktor (We are very thankful because this can really lessen our expenses)," she said. (RAC/PIA7 with reports from Mary Jane Banglos/DA-PATCO Siquijor)
