Lawmaker urges direct fuel subsidy for fisheries amid fish port standstill

REPRESENTATIVE Nathan “Atty. Nat” Oducado of 1Tahanan Partylist called for urgent, targeted fuel support for the fisheries sector following reports that no municipal and commercial vessels unloaded fish at Market Hall 1 of the General Santos Fish Port.

“Kapag mahigit 80% ng gastos ng bangka ay napupunta lang sa krudo, ibig sabihin kahit pumalaot ka, lugi ka na agad,” said Oducado.

More than 13,000 workers in General Santos depend on the fishing industry, and when no fish are unloaded, processing plants slow down, airport cargo declines, and families across the supply chain lose income.

“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa mangingisda, kundi sa buong kadena mula pantalan hanggang palengke na sabay-sabay naaapektuhan,” he said.

With fuel prices high, many boat operators say a ₱5,000 cash aid provides only short relief because crews may bring home just ₱200 to ₱300 after expenses, discouraging them from going out to sea.

“Hindi ayuda ang kulang kundi sistema ang kailangang ayusin,” Oducado stressed.

He proposed applying direct fuel subsidies to critical food sectors like fisheries, reviewing the use of AICs to ensure assistance is targeted, studying oil-crisis policies from other countries, and considering a ₱10 per kilo subsidy for key industries such as tuna to protect fishing, processing, and exports.

“Kapag bumagsak ang sektor ng pangingisda, tataas ang presyo ng pagkain at lahat tayo ang tatamaan, kaya malinaw dapat ang prioridad. Unahin ang mga sektor na nagpapakain sa bansa,” Oducado said.