The Department of Agriculture will distribute an extra P25 million in fuel aid to at least 5,000 farmers.
The Department of Agriculture plans to release the additional funds on top of an earlier P150 million allocation and a larger P10-billion assistance program. Department spokesman Arnel de Mesa said on June 3 that the Department of Budget and Management had issued a P25-million special allotment release order. Distribution can begin once cash is released. De Mesa stressed the urgency, noting that farmers are currently preparing land and establishing crops, a period when machinery use is high. He added that the initial P150 million is insufficient and that the department had sought a further P30 billion to address rising costs linked to developments in the Middle East. Senate hearings on related requests have been interrupted by recent leadership changes and other events.