The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent announcement of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to release ₱500 million this March to help farmers and fisherfolk stay afloat amid the rapid rise of oil prices brought upon by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The DA will sign a joint circular with the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Energy on the said subsidy that has been approved by the President. While the exact number of beneficiaries are yet to be announced, DA said that about 1.8 million rice farmers will receive about ₱5,000 under the Plant, Plant, Plant Program. Seeds will also be provided for farmers under the said program in order to boost local food production.

It is notable that the government prioritized the farmers and fisherfolks during this period of fuel crisis. This will help cushion the impact to their income while also helping to keep food cost at bay. We look forward to the prompt, transparent, and equitable distribution of the fuel subsidy and other assistance especially to small farmers and fisherfolks who need it most.

Farmers and fisherfolk remain among the disadvantaged sectors despite the Philippines being an agricultural country. They ensure food security yet many of them are mired in debts and cyclical poverty. Their little income is also currently threatened by the competition between local and foreign goods, with the importation leading to a surplus of local crops that are usually gone to waste if unsold.

CHR is hopeful that the various support and assistance will help in sustaining agricultural livelihood especially among the vulnerable members of the agriculture sector. Equally crucial are the implementation of sustainable programs that will address the systemic problems that push many members of the said sector into intergenerational poverty. Investing and prioritizing agriculture is not only beneficial to farmers and fisherfolks but will redound to the benefit of all in terms of food security and better economy in the long view. ###