The Department of Agriculture started on Wednesday, April 15, rolling out a PHP10-billion cash assistance program aimed at millions of farmers and fisherfolk struggling with surging production and input costs, signaling an urgent intervention as fuel prices remain volatile.
Funded under Republic Act No. 12314 or the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) will provide P2,325 each to more than 4.17 million beneficiaries nationwide. The DA is leading implementation, targeting those rice farmers tilling 2 ha. and below, corn and sugarcane farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA ) and the National Program for Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration (BoatR) systems across key agricultural sectors.
The aid comes as rising fuel prices continue to squeeze margins in both farming and fishing, where petroleum products power machinery, irrigation pumps, and boats. Officials say the program is designed to inject immediate liquidity into rural economies and help prevent disruptions in food production.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed the urgency of the intervention while acknowledging its limits. “This financial assistance, while admittedly small, provides a lifeline for over 4.1 million Filipino farmers and fisherfolk hit hard by soaring petroleum product prices,” he said.
Initial payouts are set to begin this week in Regions I, II, III, VI, and IX, with tens of thousands of beneficiaries expected in the first tranche. Authorities are working to finalize master lists and distribution systems, which have posed challenges in past large scale aid efforts.
The program reflects a wider shift toward direct cash assistance as a response to economic strain. The support can provide short term relief, but it does not address longer term issues such as high input costs, limited access to financing, and exposure to climate related risks.
PAFFP offers immediate support to vulnerable producers. Its impact on sustaining productivity will depend on how it is carried out and supported by broader agricultural measures.
