A Senate committee session on Tuesday pressed Department of Agriculture (DA) officials over delays in fuel subsidies for farmers and fishers, as the agency confirmed that relief for thousands of workers is only scheduled to begin distribution this month.

During a hearing of the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned why critical fuel aid for tractors and fishing boats had yet to reach beneficiaries despite the ongoing needs of the agricultural sector.

"What's the delay?" Tulfo asked, specifically inquiring if the agency maintained a sufficient database to identify those in need of immediate help.

DA Director Lorna Calda testified that the department is still "fine-tuning the list" of eligible recipients, noting that subsidies are specifically earmarked for those who own machinery or motorized boats.

“Inaayos pa po yung listahan. Kasi we give fuel po doon sa may makinarya na atsaka may boat na.”

Calda pointed to "BoatR" — a national registry of motorized and non-motorized vessels — as the primary data source for fisherfolk.

“We have the what we call BoatR, ito po yung mga listahan ng mga fisherfolk na merong mga bangka, it’s either motorized or non-motorized.”

Calda further confirmed that under the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the DA has allocated 100 million pesos for fuel subsidies.

The program is expected to benefit approximately 14,400 farmers and 15,669 fisherfolk starting in April 2026. Under this specific fund, farmers will receive 5,000 pesos each, while fishers are slated for 3,000 pesos.

Tulfo then expressed concern over whether the one-time payment would suffice if the need persists into the May and June planting seasons.

“Is that one time or may kasunod pa? What if umabot ito ng May or June, eh taniman [season] ’yon, ’di ba?”

In response, the DA detailed a broader multi-billion peso relief strategy currently in motion, which includes:

• Presidential Assistance: A 10-billion-peso fund is scheduled for distribution this month, providing roughly 2,325 pesos to an estimated 17 million beneficiaries.

• Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA): Agriculture Secretary Francisco "Kiko" Tiu Laurel Jr. has requested the release of 7 billion pesos from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). If approved, rice farmers would receive an additional 3,200 pesos each.

The hearing comes as the Philippine government faces mounting pressure to insulate the domestic food supply from volatile global fuel prices, which directly impact the cost of tilling land and operating deep-sea fishing vessels.