The government is ramping up emergency support for the fisheries sector in Western Visayas, expanding its fuel subsidy program to cover 1,698 additional fisherfolk as soaring oil prices continue to squeeze livelihoods and threaten food supply stability. The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) rolled out the expanded assistance as part of a broader effort to cushion the impact of volatile global oil prices on small-scale fishers heavily dependent on fuel to sustain daily operations. Regional Director Remia Aparri of BFAR Region 6 said the latest batch of beneficiaries will receive immediate support following the infusion of additional government funding.

Galigao, N. N. (2026, April 6). Fuel aid expanded: 1,698 more WV fishers to get P3,000 as price surge bites. Panay News, pp. 3, 15.