Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House BillNo,__ 3788

Introduced by Hon. Delphine Gan Lee
SE
EXPLANATORY NOTE,

According to the 2012 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the agricultural sector
employs an estimated 12 million people, making up 33 percent of the country’s labour force.
About 70 percent of the rural poor are farmers. and fishermen,
Though the sector contributes about 11 percent to the country’s GDP with US$14,7 billion,
2011 government investment in the sector was only 4 percent of the national budget.
In that same year total government spending on agriculture was $1.6 billion, almost 24

percent lower than the previous year.

Experts say that 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 bill aims to
help the agricultural sector by providing social services to dependents of farmers. This will
send a statement to the agricultural sector that the state is serious in providing them with
adequate support, It may also encourage their children to continue farming and help in the

livelihood of the family.

The early approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

HON. KELPHINE GAN LEE
Represefitative, AGRI Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3788

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon, Delphine Gan Lee
i,

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:

ECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Social Services for

Farmers’ Dependents Act of 2013.”

SCTION 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 ot
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.


20
21

22.
23

‘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, unmatried and not gainfully employed or if such dependent, regardless of

age, is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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 in charge of the delivery of the following:

(A) Credit facilities during times of natural calamities 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 on
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,

SECTION 5. Funding. - The Center shall have an ial funding of FIVE BILLION

PESOS (P5,000,000,000.00).


9
10
i

18
19

SECTION 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.

SEt

ION 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.