Party-list group asks gov’t to include inter-island banca operators in fuel subsidy program
SEA TRANSPORT operators, especially for small inter-island boats and fishing vessels, should also be included in the government’s fuel subsidy program, Marino party-list said in a statement released over the weekend.
“The pandemic has brought distress to all sectors of the country, but we see less emphasis to meeting the needs of our Filipino domestic shipping operators, including banca operators and fishermen, in these difficult times,” said Marino, which represents Filipino seafarers.
“As such, we call on the national government, as well as our colleagues in the House of Representatives and the Senate, to include our domestic shipping operators and fisherfolk in the Fuel Subsidy Program of the government that is scheduled for release this year.”
Marino said that the government should have a more holistic approach in helping the transportation industry, and not just focus on helping land-based sectors such as jeepneys and tricycles.
“The high cost of gasoline isn’t only felt on the streets but also in the seas and the oceans… If not for our fishermen and small boat operators, many Filipinos would not have any food to serve their families,” the party-list said in Filipino. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan
