Agusan Norte fisherfolk to get fuel, rice aid to ease rising fishing costs
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Small fisherfolk in Agusan del Norte will receive fuel and rice assistance beginning October 12 through the “Gas ug Bugas para sa Yanong Mangingisda” initiative, helping them reduce fishing expenses, continue their livelihood, and provide for their families amid rising fuel prices.
Qualified fisherfolk will receive seven liters of gasoline before a fishing trip and five kilos of rice after the trip, once a week. Those using non-motorized boats will also receive the five-kilo rice assistance.
The support is expected to help ease one of the major expenses of fisherfolk, fuel for going to sea, allowing them to continue fishing while reducing the financial pressure on their families. It will also help sustain local fishing activities and the supply of fish in communities across the province.The initiative reflects the provincial government’s efforts to assist fisherfolk directly affected by increasing fuel and other operating costs.
Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante emphasized the importance of looking into the situation of fisherfolk in the province and providing assistance that responds to their needs. Through the initiative, the provincial government, together with the Congressional District Office of Representative Dale B. Corvera, participating local governments help fishing families remain productive and continue earning from their livelihood.
The program serves as an assistance and incentive-grant mechanism, with the support intended for fisherfolk who actually go out to sea to fish. This means the assistance is not simply distributed across the master list but is tied to verified fishing activity.
The initiative complements the national government’s efforts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to cushion farmers and fisherfolk from the impact of rising fuel and production costs. The administration has also been implementing and expanding assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), which includes support for sectors affected by higher fuel prices.
The local initiative covers qualified active fisherfolk who are actual residents of Carmen, Nasipit, Buenavista, Magallanes, Cabadbaran City, Tubay, Jabonga, Santiago, and Kitcharao.
To ensure that assistance reaches legitimate beneficiaries, local government and barangay personnel will maintain master lists, verify actual fishing activities, conduct monitoring and spot-checking, and keep records of fishing trips.
The fuel will be released directly into the fishing boat’s engine at designated LGU distribution points or boat terminals, while the five-kilo rice assistance will be distributed after the fisherfolk’s fishing activity is verified.
Through the initiative, the provincial, city, and municipal governments aim to ease the burden on fishing families, keep fisherfolk productive, sustain their livelihood, and contribute to local food security amid rising fuel prices. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
