The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it is ramping up efforts to hasten the release of fuel subsidies to Filipino farmers amid the sharp rise of fuel prices due to the ongoing tension in the Middle East.

“We are formulating a policy and schedule now. Once finalized, we will release it (fuel subsidy) as soon as possible,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the Philippine News Agency in a WhatsApp message.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has earlier approved PHP150 million for the government’s fuel subsidy program for farmers and fishers, with PHP100 million already disbursed to the DA and is ready for distribution.

Of the PHP100 million, PHP50 million is allocated for farmers, while the otherPHP50 million is for fishers.

At least 9,700 farmers from the rice, corn and high-value crops sector are expected to receive the fuel subsidy.

Meanwhile, the agency will seek the immediate downloading of the PHP50 million remaining balance from the DBM.

“The DA will suggest the immediate release of PHP50 million para magamit agad ‘yung buong (so that we can utilize the entire) PHP150 million,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa told reporters in a separate phone interview.

He said the operations department has been conducting a series of meetings to ensure the seamless and timely release of fuel subsidy across affected food producers.

Once downloaded to the DA, the number of qualified farmer beneficiaries will rise to almost 15,000 nationwide.

“We will try na isabay if may pondo na (to release it simultaneously if the funds are ready),” Tiu Laurel told the PNA.

Each farmer can receive PHP5,000 fuel subsidy, provided that they are registered with the government’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, and who either own or rent machinery for production. (PNA)