GenSan fishermen seek fuel subsidies

General Santos City — The last Tuna Congress here has urged the city government to hear the plea of local fisherfolks to grant them fuel subsidies amid rising petrol prices.

City administrator, Atty. Franklin Gacal, said that Mayor Loemrelie Pacquiao is still looking at the finances, savings, programmed projects, and other possible sources of funds to determine if the city has the capacity to fund the fuel subsidy.

The National Tuna Congress said costly fuel should not stop the fishing sector from operating as that would impact not only its members' livelihoods but food security as well.

"Honestly, it is a bit of a heavy request. The land transportation sector will follow suit for sure. We have to look into the capacity of our city coffers," Gacal said in an interview. He revealed that Gensan is still hard-pressed financially.

Department of Energy data showed that petrol products have had year-to-date increases of P14.80 per liter of gasoline, P9.50 per liter for diesel, and P6.64 per liter for kerosene.

The Tuna Congress presented 25 resolutions aimed at addressing pressing global challenges faced by the tuna industry and promoting sustainable fishing practices.