In fulfillment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to further boost the country's agriculture sector, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina Pangandaman said that over P10 billion has been allocated to provide fuel and fertilizer assistance to farmers this year under the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

“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 famers. Napakahalaga po ng tungkulin na ginagampanan nila sa ating ekonomiya at komunidad. Rest assured that this government will always look for the best solutions to provide assistance to them,” Sec  Pangandaman emphasized.

Under the Special Provision of the FY 2024 GAA, a total of P9.561 billion has been appropriated for the distribution of fertilizer discount vouchers under the Department of Agriculture's Production Support Services of the National Rice Program.

Of the P9.561 billion, P6.161 billion shall be used for fertilizer assistance to complement the DA Hybrid Seed Program and P3.4 billion for the DA Inbred Certified Seed Program.

The fertilizer assistance program is expected to be implemented within the major rice-producing provinces and promote balanced fertilization to increase rice productivity.

Fuel assistance to farmers

Meanwhile, a total of P510.4 million has been allocated for fuel assistance to farmers, which also includes the operating expenses incurred in the distribution of the said assistance.

Implementation of the program shall be subject to the guidelines to be issued by the DA, in coordination with the DBM and the Department of Energy. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)