The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) expects to release the funds for the first tranche of fuel subsidies within this week or, at the latest, early next week.
This as the Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday released guidelines on the government provision of fuel discount to farmers and fisherfolk as well as on the fertilizer discount vouchers for rice farmers.
Tina Rose Marie Canda, acting DBM secretary, said the agency is just waiting for the joint memo circular between DBM and the Departments of Transportation (DOTr) and of Energy.
“We are just asking for a bit of patience, but we’re really rushing this, it’s just that we have to comply with the law before we can release the funds,” Canda said in Filipino during a virtual briefing yesterday.
Canda said DBM can release the funds to DOTr within 24 hours upon receipt of approval, but as to when the recipients will receive the subsidy, that will depend on the distribution system of the implementing agencies.
Asked to comment on calls to suspend the implementation of excise tax, Canda said while it will be helpful to the transport and agricultural sectors, other sectors will suffer the consequence of lack of funds.
“If the excise tax and value added tax are removed, some of those that will be affected are social services. For the education sector, we will lose the funds for K-12; under the Department of Health, the health facilities and other medical assistance will be affected; while under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the assistance to indigenous in crisis situations,” Canda said.
“One sector will benefit but three or four sectors won’t be funded with the removal of excise tax, so we have to balance that,” she added.
At the DA, Memorandum Circular 7 series of 2022 provides the fuel discount to farmers and fisherfolk will be provided to all machineries used in corn production from land preparation to post-harvest activities as well as motorized boats for fishing operations.
Beneficiaries will only be provided with the discount if they are proven to be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and owning or operating a functional machinery with proofs of ownership.
A total of P500 million is allocated for the program. Farmers and fisherfolks shall be given a 30- percent fuel discount upon purchase of gasoline or diesel fuel from a designated fuel station for a maximum amount of P3,000 per accredited individual.
Fuel discount cards will be issued by the Development Bank of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, under DA’s memorandum order 22 series of 2022, fertilizer discount vouchers will be given to rice farmers registered under the RSBSA with values equivalent to Pl,131 per hectare (ha) for those planted with inbred seeds and P2,262 per ha for those using hybrid seeds.
The discount vouchers are one-time use only and may be claimed by farmers at any accredited fertilizer merchants in their preferred area. With Jed Macapagal
SOURCE: https://malaya.com.ph
