BUTUAN CITY — For many municipal fisherfolk in Caraga, every fishing trip begins with a difficult calculation: whether the day’s expected catch will be enough to cover the rising cost of fuel. Through the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR)’s Fuel Assistance to Fisherfolk Program (FAFP), thousands of fishers now have added support to keep their boats operating and their livelihoods afloat.

DA-BFAR Caraga has completed the distribution of over 16.7-million fuel assistance subsidies to qualified fisherfolk across the region’s five provinces, marking the full implementation of the program for eligible beneficiaries.

Last year, the Regional Bureau distributed fuel assistance to 5,208 qualified fisherfolk. This year, an additional 362 beneficiaries who completed the remote or online Know Your Client (KYC) verification process received their fuel assistance cards, allowing them to access the government’s subsidy.

With the latest distribution completed last June 2026, the Regional Office has now provided a total of 5,570 fuel discount cards to qualified fisherfolk throughout the region. Each card carries a Php 3,000 fuel subsidy and may be used at accredited gasoline stations within or near the beneficiaries’ municipalities.

The recent rollout primarily benefited fisherfolk who were unable to claim their assistance during the previous distribution schedule, ensuring that eligible recipients were not left behind in the program’s implementation.

The Fuel Assistance to Fisherfolk Program forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to cushion the impact of increasing fuel prices on the municipal fishing sector. By helping reduce one of the largest operational expenses in fishing, the subsidy enables fisherfolk to continue venturing into fishing grounds, sustain household incomes, and maintain a steady supply of fish for local communities.# (Andy T. Ordoña, Information Officer, DA-BFAR Caraga)