Photo courtesy of Liza Agoot/PNA
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured local farmers that the government would continue providing assistance to ease the impact of soaring fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
He told growers from Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province that the Department of Agriculture was working to secure additional funds for fuel subsidies.
The DA chief said the agency requested about Php 1 billion from its quick response fund, expected by May, while Php 50 million from the previous year remained available for immediate use in mountainous areas.
Officials said the subsidy program is targeted to start by the third week of April to lower transport costs for farm produce.
Tiu Laurel also cited logistics support and coordination with transport agencies and private operators, including expressway owners, to ensure smooth delivery of goods.
The Department of Transportation previously announced toll rebates for public utility vehicles and cargo trucks along major expressways to help offset higher fuel expenses.
Authorities noted that the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) supplies most of the country’s highland vegetables, which are transported to Metro Manila, Visayas, and other parts of Luzon.
The DA emphasized that food supply remains stable, with sufficient rice stocks and ongoing harvests, despite rising transport costs caused by higher fuel prices.
