00:00Fisher folk are sounding the alarm over the rising tide of fuel prices, warning that soaring costs are threatening to
00:06sink their livelihoods.
00:07Authorities are racing against the clock, promising millions in subsidies and urging quick action to ensure that aid reaches fishermen
00:15before they head out to sea to cast their nets.
00:18Luisa Erispe says it all.
00:29Fisher folks are voicing strong opposition to the economic impact of rising fuel prices across the country.
00:36During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, the agri-fishery group SINAG reported that
00:43fishermen have already lost 500 pesos in earnings since the surge in crude oil prices.
00:50There are growing concerns that if the trend continues, many may be forced to halt their operations entirely.
00:56Mas kawawa yung mga hingis na kasi dagdag sa gasto sa produksyon niya yun. Inaabsorb niyang sarili. Yung mga jeep,
01:03pwedeng huminto ng ilang oras eh. Dumagdag pa ng 500 a day ang kanyang gastos because of the 25 peso
01:09liter. Pagtumahas pa next week yung diesel at gasolina.
01:12However, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are before assured that assistance is ready for disbursement.
01:19A 50 million peso fund has been allocated which is expected to benefit over 15,000 fishermen with each recipient
01:27set to receive 3,000 pesos.
01:29Pwede po kung pwede ipapastak natin kasi right now, yung budget at this 426, kasi naka-deposit na po sa
01:36DBP, sir. Mr. Chair, naka-deposit po yung ating budget ng 50 million for our fuel subsidy.
01:43Yun po ay maka-next-next na lalabas na po yung ating supplemental agreement.
01:48The agency is also requesting an additional 25 million pesos for fuel subsidies, with priority given to those in the
01:55most impoverished municipalities.
01:58Nevertheless, Committee Chairman Senator Kiko Panghelinan believes these amounts are insufficient.
02:04The senator noted that the 10 billion peso fund is already standing by at the Department of Agriculture, intended not
02:11only for fisher folk, but also for farmers.
02:14Citing a lack of implementing guidelines, Panghelinan is urging the DA to expedite the process to ensure immediate distribution.
02:22The senator emphasized that aid should be accessible to all affected fisher folk, not just those in poorer municipalities.
02:29This assistance is separate from the additional funding currently being deliberated by Congress.
02:34Luisa Erispe from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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