Gov’t readies new round of UPLIFT to aid farmers, transport sector

The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is readying a new round of fuel assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) to provide relief to vulnerable sectors as the benchmark Brent oil hit $100 per barrel on 9 September, the first time since July amid renewed United States-Iran tension.

According to Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, farmers and fisherfolk are the initial targets of the fresh UPLIFT assistance.

De Mesa said a big chunk of the expense of farmers and fisherfolk goes to fuel for their palay harvesters and motorized bancas.

“This is in time of the harvest season of palay. The aid would help ease the cost burdens for farmers, especially that they are using combined harvesters. The aid also goes to fishermen. We all know that they are shelling out huge amount of money for their fuel used for their motor bancas,” De Mesa said.

For the transportation sector, Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the administration is continuously looking for ways to mitigate the local impact of the increase in oil prices in the global market, which affects the public transport sector and commuters.

Lopez said the DoTr is seriously studying to include other modes of public transport in the fuel subsidy now enjoyed by PUJs and UV express.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is also holding consultations on fare-hike petitions.

The government is also considering restoring toll waivers for vehicles transporting agricultural products from Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon to Metro Manila.