BFAR authorized to release fuel aid for fisherfolk

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was given full authority to disburse fuel assistance for 137,448 fisherfolk nationwide.

In a special order, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said BFAR Director Demosthenes Escoto would be allowed to govern the distribution of fuel assistance amounting to P489.6 million.

This means he no longer needs to obtain the DA’s approval for signing financial documents related to the funds.

Based on a previous DA issuance, regional field offices, bureaus and attached agencies need to secure the agriculture secretary’s approval for transactions worth P100 million and above.

However, the same memo said the DA chief holds the discretion to delegate authority upon request for exceptional cases such as calamities or emergency situations.

The fuel assistance is provided when the average Dubai crude oil price for three months reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel based on Mean of Platts Singapore. Each beneficiary will receive a one-time fuel assistance worth P3,000.

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Fishers who own and operate a motorized fishing vessel individually or through a fisherfolk organization, cooperative or association are eligible for this assistance.

The beneficiary should be listed under the DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and is using legal fishing gears and practices.

Likewise, vessels used for day-to-day fishing operations should be duly registered in the integrated boat registry system or the registry system of BFAR or the local government unit. INQ