MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will release P10 billion in financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk on April 15 as part of government efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on the agriculture sector.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the aid, under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF), will be distributed nationwide.

“Bukas ire-release na yung (Tomorrow, we will release the) Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF), that’s PHP10 billion for 4.175 million farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

The DA earlier said each qualified beneficiary will receive P2,325 in cash assistance.

Of the more than four million intended recipients, 2.197 million are rice farmers, 1.475 million are corn producers, over 102,000 are sugar farmers, and around 399,000 are fisherfolk.

The PAFF serves as additional support on top of earlier fuel subsidies already provided to registered farmers and fishers.

The department said it is also tapping other funding sources, including a P1-billion quick response fund and unused fuel subsidy allocations from previous years, to further support food producers affected by higher oil prices.

Tiu Laurel also said toll fees for agricultural transport are expected to be waived after coordination with toll operators.

“From what I understand, mag-a-announce today ‘yung mga nakausap naming toll operators at pumayag sila kahapon na tanggalin ‘yung toll fees sa mga agri trucks,” he said.

These include major expressways such as the South Luzon Expressway, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, and Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway.

The DA also said it will deploy food trucks to help ensure the efficient transport of agricultural goods from farms to markets.