Amid a tightening national energy emergency, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that farmers and fisherfolk will maintain their right to purchase fuel in portable containers to prevent a collapse in food production.
The assurance follows a direct coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure that those powering tractors, irrigation pumps, and fishing vessels are not unfairly caught in the dragnet of anti-hoarding measures.
Under the current emergency protocols, the DOE has clarified that the use of jerry cans and drums remains permitted for “legitimate operational needs.” To navigate these restrictions, agricultural workers must present proof of necessity—such as business permits, certifications, or purchase orders—at the pump. This move aims to strike a delicate balance between curbing panic buying among the general public and fueling the machinery essential to the country’s food supply chain.
The stakes for the sector are high, as fuel is the lifeblood of both farm-to-market logistics and offshore fishing. Tiu Laurel emphasized that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has classified food production and transport as priority sectors, signaling that the government will intervene to prevent energy shortages from translating into food scarcity. “Our farmers and fisherfolks can rest assured that they will continue to have access to the fuel they need for their productive activities,” Tiu Laurel said.
To enforce these rules, the government has deployed monitoring teams—including local police and government units—to gas stations nationwide. These inspectors are tasked with tracking inventory levels and flagging “unusual purchasing patterns,” such as repeated bulk buys within a short window. While fuel stations have the authority to impose temporary purchase limits on standard vehicles to ensure fair access, the DOE has issued a standing directive that essential industries like agriculture and fisheries must be prioritized during any supply disruptions.
As the energy crisis persists, the DOE is urging the public to report any suspicious activity or illegal stockpiling. For now, the agricultural community remains on a high-priority list, with officials focusing on keeping the “productive heart” of the economy pumping even as the broader energy market faces significant strain.