House OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
pare: 11 JUL 2016
TINE: au)
BY:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

HOUSE BILL NO.

AN ACT PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE DEPENDENTS OF
FARMERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

2012 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics show that the agricultural sector
employs an estimated 12 million people, making up 33 percent of the country's labor
force. About 70 percent of the rural poor are farmers and fishermen.

It is unfortunate that the government investment in the sector was only 4 percent
of the national budget notwithstanding its contribution of about 11 percent to the
’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 where the total government spending
on agriculture was almost 24 percent lower than the previous year.

According to the experts, the weak government policies and programs, an
excessive’ reliance on agricultural imports, and corruption, have taken their toll on the
agricultural sector. On the side of education, the average level of education of a farmer is
grade five.

This measure, which was originally filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, aims
to help the agricultural sector by providing social services to dependents of farmers as a
gesture of recognition to their sacrifices and a statement to the agricultural sector that
the State is serious in providing them with adequate support. It also aims to encourage
their children to continue farming and help in the livelihood of the family.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

{ er Vi m
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4'" District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo. 1377

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE DEPENDENTS OF
FARMERS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Social Services for
Farmers’ Dependents Act.”

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term "Farming" or
"agriculture" shall include farming in all of its branches and the cultivation and tillage of
the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting of any
agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural commodities, the growing and
harvesting of forest products upon forest land, the raising of livestock including horses,
the keeping of horses as a commercial enterprise, the keeping and raising of poultry,
swine, cattle and other domesticated animals used for food purposes, bees, fur-bearing
animals, and any forestry or lumbering operations, performed by a farmer, who is
hereby defined as one engaged in agriculture or farming as herein defined, or on a farm
as an incident to or in conjunction with such farming operations, including preparations
for market, delivery to storage or to market or to carriers for transportation to market.

A “dependent” means a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child chiefly
dependent upon and living with the taxpayer if such dependent is not more than twenty-
one (21) years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or if such dependent,
regardless of age, is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect.

SEC. 3. Farmers’ Dependents Social Services Program. - There shall be created a
Farmers’ Dependents Social Services Program which shall be in charge of the delivery of
social services to the dependents of farmers and farm workers.

SEC. 4. Farmers' Dependents Social Services Program Office. -There is hereby
created an Office in the Department of Agriculture that shall be responsible for the
implementation of the Farmers' Dependents Social Services Program in Section 4 of this
Act. It shall be in charge of the delivery of the following:

(a) Credit facilities during times of natural such as typhoons, drought, and other
similar events;

(b) Counseling and information dissemination on available healthcare for
dependents;

(c) Coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in
drawing and implementing plans for the promotion of the welfare of the dependents of


farmers, particularly those who belong to the poorest of the poor;

(d) Prepare a report on the dependents of farmers who are in most need of
assistance and to draw up a financial assistance package to be drawn from private
contributors;

(e) Conduct seminars, trainings, and other related activities.

SEC. 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the Department of
Agriculture. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual budget of the DA under the General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 6. Incentives. - In order to encourage private sector participation, all
expenses incurred by any private individual, corporation, or a non-governmental
organization, in the establishment of facilities or in the performance of services,
including donations, which are consistent with the declared policies of this Act, shall be
considered as allowable deductions from the gross income as defined under the National
Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Agriculture
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall jointly issue the
implementing rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act within
thirty (30) days from its date of effectivity.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,