Philippine government expands fuel subsidy

The Philippine government has decided to extend fuel subsidies for the public transport sector, known as the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP), to farmers and fishermen. “Oil prices had unrelenting increases last week, hitting another new two-and-a-half year high,” the energy department said. Proceso J. Alcala, agriculture secretary, said, “The fuel assistance will be nationwide, every province, every region, every municipality that has fishermen. And we won’t allow the farmers to be left behind. The fuel consumption will be lower for the small boats versus the large fishing vessels. There are also tractors and irrigation pumps. Food transporters from the provinces to Metro Manila – all these will be given a subsidy.” (April 13,2011)