Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes told that will press for diesel discounts for fishing fleets, similar to the one given to public jeepneys, during a talk with representatives of major oil firms. According to Reyes diesel is 60 -80 percent of the operating cost of fisher folk in Zamboanga, so it is just right to give them a sort of subsidy, like the program for [P1 per liter] discount given to jeepneys.
Reyes and key Energy and Agriculture department officials were in negotiation dialogue with the beleaguered members of the Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association (Sophil) which have been reeling from the high price of diesel. Earlier, officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) told that they have been talking with Petron Corp. for a possible P5 per liter discount for diesel.
Agriculture Undersecretary Bernie G. Fondevilla informed that for the discount to apply, members of Sophil should buy diesel in bulk. But Reyes said that he has asked the Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) to arrange a delivery to Zamboanga of a barge with about 7,000 tons of coal every other month from Semirara.
BFAR regional director Virgilio A. Alforque expressed that they will provide the area for the fuel depot which will likely be at the Zamboanga Fish Port. Reyes said he will present these proposals to the President and the National Economic and Development Authority for their approval.
