SINAG laments delay in fertilizer subsidy distribution; DA responds

Farmers group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Saturday expressed dismay at the delay in the distribution of the government’s fertilizer subsidy to farmers.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, SINAG executive director Jason Cainglet said the group received letters from mayors, governors, and farmers about the delayed delivery of fertilizers, which were supposed to be received during the main cropping season in June to July.

“Ang epekto niyan, magkakaproblema tayo sa productivity o 'yung dami ng aanihin ng mga magsasaka dahil ang abono ay ginagamit para mas maging maganda ang produksyon,” Cainglet said.

(The effect of that is that we will have problems with productivity or the amount of harvest that farmers will get because fertilizer is used to improve production.)

“Sa kabilang banda, 'yung mga farmer, imbis na nakatulong ang subsidy, nag-abono pa sila kaya lalong lumaki ang kanilang gastos sa panahong barat na barat ang presyo ng palay,” he said.

(On the other hand, instead of the subsidy helping the farmers, they were forced to spend more at a time when the price of palay was very cheap.)

The SINAG executive said each bag of fertilizer costs about P1,800 to P2,400. 

For the two-month delay, he said farmers should have received almost P5,000 from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a separate statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, “We’ve already admitted before the Senate that there were indeed delays in fertilizer deliveries in Regions 1, 2, and 4B. That’s confirmed and documented.”

Cainglet, however, said in his radio interview that there could be cases of “ghost deliveries.”

“May mga farmer [din] na dumiretso sa atin, na wala silang nakuha na dapat nakuha nila... Nagtataka ang mga farmers, baka may mga kaso ng ghost delivery. Naibigay na pero wala naman silang natanggap,” the SINAG executive said.

(There are also farmers who came straight to us, saying they didn't get what they should have gotten... The farmers are wondering if maybe there are cases of ghost delivery. They have been supposedly delivered, but the farmers haven't received anything.)

Tiu Laurel fired back, saying allegations of ghost deliveries were unfounded.

“But as far as ghost deliveries are concerned? At the moment, I consider that fake news—completely baseless,” the Agriculture chief said. “If SINAG knows something concrete, they should come forward and help us go after these supposed ghost suppliers."

He said the DA is already taking action against the three suppliers responsible for the delayed shipments of fertilizers.

Tiu Laurel said penalties—including fines or even blacklisting—are now on the table.

“The suppliers say recent typhoons delayed the arrival of fertilizers from China,” he said, adding that “for me that’s not a valid excuse…we’re considering sanctions, including temporary blacklisting in the areas affected by the delays.”

Tiu Laurel said suppliers have been given until September 15 to deliver, but they will have to face heavier penalties.

For Cainglet, however, “the damage has been done" even if the fertilizer subsidies are given next month.

Tiu Laurel said the DA is not considering canceling the contracts with the suppliers despite the delivery delays.

“Canceling the contracts would delay the deliveries even more. And new bidding would likely come at a higher cost to the government. We bought those fertilizers at a lower price,” the Agriculture chief said.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News