A situation that necessitated the urgent intervention, especially with fuel prices remaining volatile.
On Wednesday, April 15, the Department of Agriculture started rolling out a PHP10-billion cash assistance program aimed at millions of farmers and fisherfolk struggling with surging production and input costs.
Funded under Republic Act No. 12314 or the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) will provide PHP2,325 each to more than 4.17 million beneficiaries nationwide, according to the department—which leads the implementation.
It will primarily targer rice farmers tilling 2 hectares and below, as well as corn and sugarcane farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and the National Program for Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration (BoatR) systems across key agricultural sectors.
The said aid comes as rising fuel prices, primarily due to the supply issue caused by the conflict in the Middle East, cause margins in both farming and fishing to be sqieezed.
These are the sectors where petroleum products are main used to power machinery, irrigation pumps, and boats.
Agriculture officials say the program is designed to inject immediate liquidity into rural economies and help prevent disruptions in food production.
According to DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., “This financial assistance, while admittedly small, provides a lifeline for over 4.1 million Filipino farmers and fisherfolk hit hard by soaring petroleum product prices.”
Initial payouts are set to begin this week in Regions I, II, III, VI, and IX under the first tranche. At present, authorities are working to finalize master lists and distribution systems, which have posed challenges in past large scale aid efforts.
According to DA, the program reflects a wider shift toward direct cash assistance as a response to economic strain, but noted that despute this providing short term relief, it does not address longer term issues such as high input costs, limited access to financing, and exposure to climate related risks.
PAFFP offers immediate support to vulnerable producers. Its impact on sustaining productivity will depend on how it is carried out and supported by broader agricultural measures.
LOAN PAYMENT MORATORIUM
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) has rolled out a loan payment moratorium for qualified farmers and fisherfolk
The measure is anchored on Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 2, series of 2017, which set the implementing guidelines of the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program.
The said framework has been designed as a financial assistance system to help farmers and fishermen recover from calamities, emergencies, and economic disruptions.
Under the program, DA-ACPC borrowers with current and outstanding loans may apply for a suspension of debt repayments for up to one year, subject to review and approval by Partner Lending Conduits such as government financial institutions, rural banks, and cooperative banks.
Tiu Laurel Jr. said the moratorium forms part of a broader government response amid the national energy emergency and its ripple effects on production costs.
“The loan moratorium is not a standalone measure, but part of a coordinated government effort involving financing institutions, local lending partners, and Department of Agriculture agencies working on rural resilience,” he said.
Tiu Laurel added, “We are prioritizing immediate relief while strengthening long-term access to credit so our agricultural sector remains productive and stable despite external shocks, particularly rising fuel and fertilizer costs.”
The DA-ACPC said it will continue working closely with its Partner Lending Conduits to ensure the smooth and timely rollout of the moratorium across affected areas nationwide.
DA-ACPC Executive Director Rallen Verdadero said applications will be assessed based on eligibility and loan status, with priority given to borrowers in good standing who are experiencing temporary financial strain due to elevated energy costs.
The agency added that the initiative is expected to help prevent loan defaults, sustain rural economic activity, and support national food security goals.
This is especially important as energy-related expenses continue to pressure farm production and distribution.