IhOUSEQF REPRESENTATIVES

BEE ME Rig

Republic of the Philippines DATE __
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sive aE
Quezon City, Metro Manila By Ta

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 8227

Introduced by HONORABLE ROGELIO D. PACQUIAO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

One of the biggest industries in the Philippines is Agriculture, It has provided our economy
with seven point one percent (7.1%) of the total agro-based products exported in April 2012 based
on the NSO Foreign Trade Statistics, and is also the source of the twelve percent (12.5%) of our
country’s GDP in the first quarter of 2012 which came from fishery, hunting, agriculture and
forestry, (NSCB, First Quarter 2012, National Accounts)

In the April 2016 report of the Philippine Statistic Authority, twenty five percent (25%) of
the total number of employed Filipinos belong to the Agricultural Sector. Thus, apart from advanc-
ing the facilities of Agriculture, the state should also attend to the welfare of the people who run the
said industry.

Despite being part of the most significant sectors in the Philippines, many Farmers and
Fisherfolk remain to be one of the poorest groups in the country. Hence, it is critical to recognise
their plight and consequently address it as it is alarming and ironic to see that the major producers
of food in our country are faced with pressing issues such as shortage in food and other basic com-
modities

Farmers and Fisherfolk should be treated as two of the pillars of the Philippine economy and
should be given proper acknowledgement for feeding the whole Philippine Population. It is vital to
support this sector and accord them all the support services they need, These services include Social
Protection such as Social Pension when they reach the advanced age and are no longer capable of
working,

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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3227

Introduced by HONORABLE ROGELIO D. PACQUIAO

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAM TO ASSIST INDIGENT
.RMERS AND FISHERFOLK WHO HAVE REACHED THE RETIREMENT AGE
WITHOUT EXISTING PENSION.”

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to give due
recognition to the great contribution rendered by Farmers and Fisherfolk to the Philippine
Economy. It affirms that Fisherfolk and Farmers are integral parts of the country and are entitled to
social benefits provided by the Philippine Government, The State is compelled to formulate
appropriate Social Security Programs for the aforementioned sector such as sufficient Social
Pension upon reaching the age of retirement to assist them with their basic needs. Moreover, the
State should augment its current efforts to ensure that the needs of the Retired Indigent Fisherfolk
and Farmers are properly addressed.

SECTION 2. Retirement upon reaching the age of sixty (60). All Farmers and Fisherfolk

who have reached the age of 60 shall be considered retired.

SECTION 3. Social Pension Program for Farmers and Fisherfolk. All Retired Indigent
Farmers and Fisherfolk without existing pensions, particularly those who are not beneficiaries of
any of the Social Protection Programs of the DSWD, should be entitled to a monthly stipend from
the government. They should be given not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) a month to
sustain their basic needs provided that they satisfy the criteria for eligibility.

SECTION 4. Other Assistance. The Department of Agriculture shall also ensure its
continuous support to the families of concerned farmers and fisherfolk by helping them to have an
easy access to inputs to production such as seeds, fertilizer, post-production facilities and other
needs connected to their livelihood


SECTION 5. Eligibility. The criteria for eligibility should be regulated by the Local
Government Units in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social
Welfare and Development and Recognized Representatives of the Sector.

SECTION 6. Issuance of Implementing Rules and Regulations, The Implementing Rules
and Regulations should be jointly formulated by the Department of Agriculture, Department of
Social Welfare and Development, and other concerned stakeholders.

SECTION 7. Funding. The allocation for the said program should be downloaded to the
Department of Social Welfare and Development as the implementing body in close coordination
with the Local Government Units,

SECTION 8. Monitoring. An effective and appropriate monitoring and evaluation
mechanism should be established by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Local Government Units to ensure proper
implementation and identification of future improvements,

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions thereof are not affected by such declaration and shall continue to be
in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Efectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

ROGELIOD.|PACQUIAO
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