Corn farmers in CamSur get gov’t fuel subsidy

By Connie Calipay

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol has distributed P3,000 fuel subsidy each to 621 corn farmers from six municipalities and one city in Camarines Sur.

In an interview, Emily Bordado, DA Bicol spokesperson, said the distribution of the government aid was conducted in two batches.

“The first batch with 450 corn farmers was for the towns of Baao, Pili, Ocampo, and Bula last Wednesday at the DA 5 regional office in Pili, Camarines Sur, while the second batch of 171 corn farmers was from Iriga City, Bato, and Buhi that was given today at Iriga City,” Bordado said.

She said the subsidy must only be used to buy gasoline or diesel from the participating or accredited gasoline stations.

“The fuel discount can be used for farm types of machinery that includes pumps, engines, tractors, combine harvesters, and corn shellers among others,” she added.

To qualify for the fuel subsidy, a corn farmer must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or listed in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS).

The beneficiary or his/her association must also own machinery which can be proven by the following: certificate of agricultural and fishery machinery and equipment registration from the local government unit (LGU); certification from the Municipal Agriculture Office that the farmer/fisher or association is the owner of the machinery; sales/cash invoice/official receipt of the machinery; memorandum of agreement including property transfer receipt; or deed of donation.

Bordado said in Bicol, a total of 3,880 corn farmers will receive the P3,000 fuel subsidy with total allotted funds of P11.6 million.

She said DA has been extensively promoting mechanization to modernize and enhance productivity in the agriculture and fishery sector. Fuel expenses are therefore one of the most important components of the operating cost in farming and fishing. (PNA)

FUEL SUBSIDY Corn farmers are shown during the payout of the government fuel subsidy worth P3,000 each in Camarines Sur. The beneficiaries are from six municipalities and one city in the province. (Photo courtesy of DA-5)