THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the government’s Fuel Discount for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (FDFFP) has benefited at least 126,388 individuals.

The FDFFP was launched in March 2022 as it targets to distribute P3,000 subsidy to at least 158,730 beneficiaries.

The Agriculture department said that once loaded with a P3,000 subsidy, corn farmers and fishers can use the fuel discount cards for the purchase of diesel or gasoline.

It added that it expects to cover the remaining beneficiaries of 32,342, or 20.37 percent of the total target before the end of August.

“This is just part of the Department of Agriculture’s package of assistance to the agriculture sector, which continues to face challenges caused by high cost of farm inputs,” DA Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs and spokesman Kristine Evangelista said.

Evangelista added that the program aims to cushion the impact of the current global economic challenges to the agriculture sector, and enable the food production sector to be more productive.

FDFFP emanated from the 2022 General Appropriations Act Special Provision 20, which allotted P500 million in funds to provide fuel discount to farmers and fishers.

The program’s main beneficiaries are corn farmers and fishers, who must exclusively use the subsidy to fuel their farm machines and motorized bancas, respectively. They may use their discount vouchers in participating gas stations accredited by the Department of Energy.

Last August 3, an amended memorandum circular was released naming the director of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fishery Engineering as chairman of the Program Coordination Group for the implementation of the program, which will be expanded to other agricultural commodities.

Specific guidelines and implementing rules will be discussed within the week to ensure the smooth implementation and distribution of interventions.

The memorandum circular is also in preparation for the proposed P600-million additional FDFFP funds requested from the Department of Budget and Management.

In his first State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stressed that his administration would continue to extend support to the agriculture sector, in credit, farm inputs and fuel subsidy, among others, to ensure that an increase in food production is attained.