By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – Some 4,052 rice farmers from Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Butuan City received their fuel subsidy from the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) in a five-day distribution activity conducted last week.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DA-13 reported that a total of PHP12.16 million in fuel subsidy was released, with each beneficiary receiving PHP3,000 in support from the government.

The distribution caravan kicked off on Oct. 13 in Surigao del Sur and concluded on Oct. 17 in Agusan del Norte. The largest number of recipients last week was recorded in Butuan City, where 2,000 rice farmers received a total of PHP6 million in fuel subsidy.

In Surigao del Sur, 1,800 rice farmers in Madrid and Bislig City received PHP5.4 million. The final distribution covered Buenavista, Nasipit and Carmen in Agusan del Norte, where 252 farmers received PHP756,000.

The DA-13 targets around 17,412 rice farmers in the Caraga Region to benefit from the fuel subsidy program from 2022 to 2025. 

As of October this year, nearly 8,000 rice farmers in the area have already received the assistance. The agency said more fuel subsidy releases are scheduled in other provinces in the coming weeks. (PNA)

Published Date: October 21, 2025