iCCEIVED
syed UL 2018
4 UL 2018

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._2675

Introduced by HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

ur farmers and fishermen are some of the most hard working members of the labor force in our
country but often times neglected in terms of benefits. While their job is one of the most demanding as they
ensure a steady source of food supply in the country, the efforts to increase and improve their benefits are
still lacking.

This representation has observed that public and private employees enjoy govemment mandated
benefits like the 13 month pay which are not applicable to the agricultural workers who are not under the
immediate employ of any employer, public office or private entities. Considering this, our agricultural workers
such as the farmers and fisherfolks stand at a disadvantage as they cannot enjoy the same level of benefits
attained by other employees in the private and public sector despite their hard work, which is why, most of
ur agricultural workers remain the poorest of the poor.

It has been observed that while there are several government financial aids given to agricultural
workers these aids are often accompanied by conditions and occurrences which will entitle them thereto.
Indeed our agricultural workers are our governments partners in ensuring stable food supply and it is high
time that the government recognize this partnership by providing them a cash grant that will be an additional
financial assistance to their livelihood in the same way that 13 month pay are given to other employees in
the public and private sector as a form of financial assistance.

Itis therefore proposed that a monthly incentive of at least One Thousand Pesos (Phpt,000.00) a
month or Twelve Thousand Pesos (Php12,000.00) per year be given to the agricultural workers to assist
them in their liveinood and as a form of reward in recognizing their role in the food stability in the country.

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

wseth B. TALLADO


Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2675

Introduced by HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ANNUAL CASH GRANT TO FARMERS AND FISHERMEN LIVING
BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Annual Cash Grant to Farmers and Fishermen of 2019.

SECTION 2. All Farmers and Fishermen registered before the appropriate offices of the Department
of Agriculture within their respective districts or provinces, certified by the Barangay concerned as such famer
or fishermen, who are living below the poverty line based on the threshold determined by the National
Economic and Development Authority, and, is actively engaged in farming and fishing shall each be entitled
to a cash grant of not less than One Thousand Pesos (Php1,000.00) per month or Twenty Four Thousand
Pesos (Php12,000.00) per year to be given not later than December 25 of each year. Provided that a family
who has several farmers or fishermen who are living under one roof and is still dependent upon his or her
parents for support and has no family of his/her own shall not be qualified to receive the grant.

Farmers or Fishermen who are receiving conditional cash transfer or recipients of Pantawid
Pamilyang Plipino Program (4Ps) Act from the goverment shall not be entitled to receive the Annual Cash
Grant mandated by this Act while they are receiving such conditional cash transfer or 4Ps,

SECTION 3. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be charged against
the current and subsequent appropriations of the Department of Agriculture and other departments, agencies
cr instrumentalties tasked to implement this Act under the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4, Any person, public or private, whether or not acting in conspiracy with public officials
who, by act or omission, misrepresents a qualifications to be entitled to this act shall be penalized with
imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, or a fine of not less than Ten
Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00) but not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php20,000.00), or both
imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.

SECTION 5. The Secretary of Agriculture shall issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary
to carry out the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,