To ease the mounting pressure of rising fuel prices on the fisheries sector, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-6) is set to distribute P3,000 fuel subsidies to registered fisherfolk starting this month.
The assistance program is expected to benefit 1,698 fisherfolk listed under the BFAR Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) and the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), targeting small-scale fishers whose livelihoods have been directly affected by increased fuel costs.t
The subsidy aims to help offset operational expenses, particularly fuel consumption, which remains one of the biggest costs in daily fishing activities. Higher fuel prices have reduced fishing trips and cut into the income of coastal communities across the region.
The distribution will be coordinated with concerned local government units and fisherfolk associations to ensure that qualified beneficiaries receive timely assistance.
The initiative forms part of ongoing government efforts to stabilize the fisheries sector amid persistent fuel price volatility, which continues to impact food production and coastal livelihoods in Western Visayas.
BFAR emphasized that supporting fisherfolk through targeted subsidies is crucial in sustaining local fish supply and protecting the economic welfare of small fishing communities.IMT
