VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Amidst the peak of the milling season, sugar millers in the “Sugar Capital of Mindanao” have announced a strategic increase in fuel subsidies to ensure the continuous delivery of sugarcane from farms to processing facilities. The move is a direct response to the “diesel double whammy”—the compounding impact of the global energy crisis and rising domestic logistics costs—which has threatened to stall the region’s vital agricultural output.
The Bukidnon sugar milling community, led by major players in the province, confirmed that the subsidy for truck haulers will see a 20% augmentation starting this week. This localized intervention aims to prevent a “supply chain bottleneck” as the weakening of the Amihan (Northeast Monsoon) brings drier conditions, necessitating faster transport to prevent the deterioration of sugar content in harvested canes.
“We cannot allow our planters and haulers to bear the full brunt of ₱100-per-liter diesel,” a representative from a major Bukidnon milling association stated. “If the trucks stop moving, the entire local economy of Bukidnon feels the sting. This subsidy is an investment in our shared food security and the livelihoods of thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries.”
The Bukidnon “Cane-to-Mill” Relief Plan:
- Increased Fuel Vouchers: Haulers registered with the millers will receive higher-value fuel vouchers redeemable at partner stations across Valencia City, Quezon, and Maramag.
- Milling Priority for Small Planters: To assist those most affected by the Peso sliding past ₱60 vs $1, smaller farms are being given “fast-track” slots at the milling gates to reduce truck idling time and fuel wastage.
- Logistics Coordination: Millers are coordinating with the provincial government to ensure that DPWH road maintenance in the highland areas does not impede the flow of “sweet cargo” during the peak harvest weeks.
- Transition to Green Tech: Several millers are exploring the long-term integration of solar-powered irrigation for their partner planters to reduce the sector’s overall reliance on expensive fossil fuels in future seasons.
The increase in private-sector subsidies coincides with the national government’s ₱21.47-billion relief package and the halving of LRT-2 and MRT-3 fares in Metro Manila. While the rail discounts provide relief to urban commuters, the Bukidnon initiative highlights the critical need for “localized” solutions in the country’s agricultural heartlands.
The move also comes as the House Agriculture Committee continues to push for expanded national fertilizer and fuel discount vouchers to shield the “Creative Economy” of the provinces. For Bukidnon’s farmers, who are currently navigating the transition to hotter, humid weather brought by the Easterlies, the increased subsidy serves as a vital “buffer” against the volatile global market.
As the Holy Week rush approaches and the milling season enters its final stretch, the cooperation between millers and haulers in Bukidnon is seen as a model for “resilient agriculture.” By stabilizing transport costs, the province aims to maintain its status as a top contributor to the national sugar supply, ensuring that prices at the palengke remain stable despite international pressures.