(PIA-NCR File Photo)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – A total of P10 billion has been allocated for the distribution of fuel and fertilizer assistance under the 2024 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced. 

“Bukod po sa pagpapalakas ng produksyon at suplay ng pagkain sa bansa, nais po ng ating mahal na Pangulo na mabigyan ng nararapat na tulong ang ating local farmers. Napakahalaga po ng tungkulin na ginagampanan nila sa ating ekonomiya at komunidad,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman noted. 

(Translation: Aside from strengthening food production and supply in the country, it is our President’s aim to extend the needed assistance of our local farmers. The responsibility they fulfill to our economy and community is vital)

“Rest assured that this government will always look for the best solutions to provide assistance to them,” Pangandaman emphasized. 

Fertilizer discount vouchers amounting to P9.561 billion will be made available for farmers through the Production Support Services of the National Rice Program under the Department of Agriculture (DA). It can be recalled that the said program received a sum of P30.9 billion budget allocation in the 2024 national budget towards enhancing the country’s local rice production. 

P6.161 billion of the P9.561 billion total budget will complement the Hybrid Seed Program of the DA in the form of fertilizer assistance. The remaining P3.4 billion, on the other hand, will be set aside for the Inbred Certified Seed Program that aims to distribute local rice seeds to rice-producing regions to increase farmers’ yields. 

Meanwhile, the fuel assistance to farmers has a budget allocation of P510.4 million including the operating expenses that are needed for the distribution. 

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DBM allots P197.84 billion for agri sector in 2024 national budget
 

The implementation of the fuel assistance program will depend on the guidelines of the DA together with the DBM and Department of Energy (DOE). (DBM/PIA-NCR)