Manila: Logistics firms servicing agriculture-related clients will be included in the government's fuel subsidy program, according to the Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday. In an online briefing, DOE Director Rino Abad stated that funding for agri-servicing logistics vehicles will be sourced from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) is currently gathering data on the plate numbers of vehicles to be enrolled in the program. 'In the next two weeks, there will be a reorientation for the oil firms and that's when we'll know the list of logistics vehicle units to be covered,' Abad explained.

The existing program offers support to drivers of jeepneys and utility vehicles (UV), providing PHP1,500 per vehicle weekly for three months to help them manage the increased diesel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. As of June 10, the government has allocated approximately PHP103.7 million in subsidies, benefiting around 62,342 recipients.

Data from the DOE indicates that 2,077 liquid fuel retailers across the nation are participating in the program. The majority of these fuel stations are located in Southern Luzon with 442 outlets, followed by Northern Luzon with 427, the National Capital Region with 419, Mindanao with 398, and the Visayas with 391.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized the Marcos administration's commitment to providing adequate subsidies to mitigate the impact of higher fuel prices. 'Every day, we continue to expand the network because we want fuel assistance to be easier and more accessible to our drivers,' she noted. Garin also highlighted the achievement of reaching the 2,000-station mark as a reflection of the government's dedication, under the direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to ensure that support reaches transport workers who are directly affected by rising fuel prices.