Manila, March 25 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now preparing to utilize its PHP1 billion quick response fund (QRF) to protect farmers and fisherfolk from the impacts of rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict.

The QRF, which is typically used as assistance during natural calamities, will now be tapped after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency.

"QRF, PHP1 billion, maybe we will request a fuel subsidy for motorized fisherfolk and maybe small commercial (fishing vessels). For farmers, biofertilizer," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.

In a separate phone interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arn...