Senator Imee Marcos has renewed her call for urgent government intervention to address the worsening impact of high fuel prices on the country’s fishing and agriculture sectors.
Marcos emphasized that the burden of rising diesel costs is being felt nationwide, particularly among communities heavily reliant on fishing.
“This is not just a problem in a few areas. Everyone is affected, from GenSan to Zamboanga, especially in communities that depend on fishing. Fisherfolk can hardly set out to sea anymore because of the high cost of diesel,” Marcos said.
She warned that without immediate support, small-scale fishermen may be pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, further threatening food supply stability.
“Puwede ba i-suspend na muna ang VAT sa petrolyo—lalo na para sa municipal fisherfolk at BFAR-registered commercial fishing? Maawa naman kayo kahit papano. Gutom ang aabutin nating lahat dito,” she added.
The senator stressed that suspending the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel would provide direct and immediate relief to affected sectors.
“Kung VAT mismo ang tatanggalin, ramdam agad nila ‘yan, malaking tulong yan para sa kanila.”
Marcos also called on the government to extend similar considerations to farmers and agricultural producers, who continue to grapple with rising production costs driven by high fuel prices.
“Ang ending nito, hindi lang sila, pati tayo tatamaan. Kapag tumigil sila, tataas ang presyo ng pagkain. Simple lang naman ‘yan, ano ba ang ‘di niyo gets?” she said.
She argued that if tax relief measures are to be implemented, priority should be given to sectors that sustain the country’s food supply.
“Inuulit ko, hindi lahat ng sektor ang sakop ng suspensyon ng VAT. Nakatuon ito sa mga maliliit, mahihirap, at naghihikahos na sektor—para naman kahit paano, mabigyan natin sila ng kaunting ginhawa,” Marcos concluded.