A total of 430 farmer-beneficiaries from various municipalities in Pangasinan each received P3,000 worth of fuel discount cards, totaling P1,354,500.00 under the Department of Agriculture’s Fuel Assistance to Farmers Project.

Assistant Secretary for Operations U. Nichols A. Manalo explained that the program aims to help farmers cope with rising oil prices while maximizing the use and efficiency of farm machinery and equipment in agricultural operations. The fuel assistance project is expected to reduce production costs and increase farmers’ income.

On Tuesday, August 28, farmers from Natividad, Rosales, San Nicolas, Mangaldan, Mabini, Pozzorubio, Balungao, and San Jacinto received their fuel assistance cards. The distribution event took place at the PREC Santa Barbara in Pangasinan and was attended by Asec. U. Nichole A. Manalo, RTD for Operations Engr. Dennis I. Tactac, APCO Marvin Quilates, and Engr. Richard C. Neri, the Chief of SRES-RAED and the Focal Person for the Fuel Assistance to Farmers Project.

Agapito Mariano, a farmer from Rosales, expressed gratitude for the fuel discount program, stating that it would help cover his farming expenses, particularly the cost of fuel for his farm machinery. “Malaking tulong po ito sa aming magsasaka kasi minsan nangungutang po kami para sa mga gagamitin, sa gasolina lalo na’t mataas ang presyo (This is a big help for us farmers because we sometimes borrow money for farm inputs and gasoline, especially since the prices are high),” he said.

The distribution of the Fuel Assistance to Farmers Project cards took place in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, on August 28, 2024. Asec. U. Nichols A. Manalo (OIC Asec for Operations) and Engr. Dennis I. Tactac (RTD for Operations) attended the event.