MANILA— Around 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk and drivers transporting agricultural products will receive a combined P3 billion in fuel subsidies beginning this month as the government moves to cushion the agriculture sector from El Niño and elevated fuel prices.

Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will distribute the assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT), an administration initiative launched in March to help sectors affected by the sharp increase in oil prices amid the Middle East war.

The DA is coordinating with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to accelerate the distribution of the subsidies through the bank’s branch network and automated teller machines, Perez said.

Qualified farmers and fisherfolk will receive a one-time P5,000 fuel subsidy for agricultural equipment, including tractors and motorized bancas.

Drivers of delivery trucks hauling agricultural products, meanwhile, will receive P2,000 in weekly fuel assistance to help cover the cost of frequent trips transporting produce from farms to markets in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

The government is also considering additional relief for agricultural delivery trucks through a possible toll exemption or discount.

Perez said the Toll Regulatory Board is coordinating with tollway operators on a possible toll holiday for agri-delivery trucks until Dec. 31.

“Dagdag sa fuel subsidy, mayroon po kaming inaayos na toll holiday or discount para rin sa agri truckers (In addition to fuel subsidy we are also working ontoll holiday or diswcount for agri truckers),” Perez said.

He said the DA hopes to reach an agreement with tollway operators within the month.

“Mayroon na pong sulat ang Toll Regulatory Board para sa ating mga tollway operator. Hiningan na sila ng komento. Kasi ang hinihingi po natin ay ituloy na iyan hanggang katapusan ng taong ito. Hanggang Dec. 31.

Ito po iyong pinag-uusapan ngayon. Sana mapagbigyan tayo,” the DA official said.

The latest UPLIFT assistance comes as benchmark Brent crude reached $100 per barrel on Sept. 9, the first time since July, amid renewed tensions between the United States and Iran.

Farmers and fisherfolk are among the first beneficiaries of the new assistance because fuel accounts for a significant portion of their operating expenses, particularly for palay harvesting equipment and motorized bancas.

The government said the assistance is intended to help vulnerable sectors manage higher fuel costs while the agriculture industry also prepares for the possible effects of El Niño.