By: Jose Robert Inventor

Fisherfolk in the Ilocos Region, particularly in Ilocos Norte, are now feeling the impact of the continued rise in petroleum prices in recent weeks, prompting the government, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to provide fuel subsidy assistance, as fuel costs now take up a significant portion of their fishing expenses and threaten their livelihood and food security. 

Not only drivers and motorists are affected by the increasing fuel prices, as fisherfolk are also struggling, with around 60 to 80 percent of their production costs going to fuel whenever they go out to sea. 

This has become a heavy burden for fishermen like Ryan Castillo and Romeo Agmano from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, with Castillo saying that fuel is very expensive and it is difficult to catch enough fish to cover their fuel expenses, while Agmano added that the high cost of fuel makes it especially hard for fishermen like them.

Ensuring food security amid rising fuel prices has been one of the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with the government, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, working to provide immediate assistance to the sector. 

Under the fuel subsidy program, around 26,000 fishermen nationwide are expected to receive ₱3,000 each to support their livelihood, with the President emphasizing that the government continues to strengthen programs for fisherfolk so they can use this assistance for their daily needs. 

As an initial step, BFAR Region 1 has already begun distributing fuel subsidy cards, with 156 fishermen in Ilocos Norte benefiting from the program and around 2,000 more expected to receive assistance in the province. 

According to BFAR Ilocos Norte OIC Vanessa Alimbuyugen, this is only the initial phase, and all coastal municipalities in Ilocos Norte will be included. 

Aside from Ilocos Norte, 314 fishermen in Ilocos Sur have also received fuel subsidy cards, while assistance has been assured for the remaining provinces across the Ilocos Region.