Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10740
Introduced by  REP. RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES 
AN ACT PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL PENSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY 
BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The agricultural sector, encompassing farmers and fisherfolk, is the backbone of the Philippine 
economy. Despite their critical role in ensuring food security and sustaining rural livelihoods, many 
of these individuals remain among the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. Their work 
is characterized by seasonal employment, exposure to climate risks, and inadequate access to 
financial resources, which collectively contribute to their economic insecurity, especially in old 
age. 
As such, this bill aims to meet the unique needs of the country’s agricultural workers. It aims to 
ensure financial security in old age by providing a regular and reliable pension upon retirement, 
acknowledging their lifelong contributions to the nation's food supply and economic stability. By 
providing security in retirement, the program may also encourage more young people to enter and 
remain in the agricultural sector, knowing they will have a safety net later. 
The passage of this bill is a significant step toward recognizing the indispensable role of farmers 
and fisherfolk in our society and ensuring that they receive the care and support they deserve in 
their later years. This legislation honors their contributions and strengthens the agricultural sector, 
ultimately contributing to the nation's long-term food security and economic resilience. 
In light of these considerations, the immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES 
August 12, 2024
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10740
Introduced by REP. RODOLFO “OMPONG” ORDANES 
AN ACT PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL PENSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY 
BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Agriculture Pension Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to: 
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(a) Establish, develop, and promote sound and viable social security schemes suitable
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to the needs of the people;
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(b) Strengthen the agriculture sector through sustainable efforts to end hunger, achieve
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food security, and improve the general health and nutrition of Filipinos;
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(c) Protect and promote the welfare of farmers and fisherfolks through policies that
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would abate their socio-economic risks and vulnerabilities with the end in view of
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improving their quality of life, and;
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(d) Provide and institutionalize a comprehensive pension and social security program
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for the benefit of agricultural workers.
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SEC. 3. Creation of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension 
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Program. – The “Farmer and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension Program,” herein referred 
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to as the “Program,” shall provide farmers and fisherfolks with a modest, dependable source 
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of income security upon their retirement. 
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The Program shall consist of a comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and a holistic 
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approach to providing sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral benefits to 
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farmers and fisherfolks.  The said pension scheme shall be made consistent with the package 
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benefits under the existing Social Security program of the Social Security System (SSS) and 
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relevant programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance 
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Corporation (PCIC). 
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SEC. 4. Implementing Agencies. – The PCIC, an attached agency of the DA, and the 
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SSS shall be the primary implementing agencies of the provisions of this Act. To fulfill the 
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goals of this Act, they shall perform the following duties and functions: 
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(a) The PCIC shall manage the registration system of eligible agricultural workers 
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under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and provide 
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the necessary operational reports. 
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(b) The SSS and PCIC shall tap the expertise of other relevant government offices to 
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formulate the objectives, targets, and approaches under the Program. 
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(c) The SSS shall manage the funds allocated and the social security and pension 
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scheme of the Program and maintain the required actuarial and financial reports. 
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(d) The PCIC and the SSS shall perform other duties and functions necessary in the 
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efficient and effective implementation of this Act. 
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The PCIC and the SSS shall collaborate with and secure the technical assistance of the 
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DA in all stages of implementation of this Act. The DA shall ensure the objectives of the 
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Program are met and shall evaluate and monitor the Program’s contribution to the productivity 
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of the agricultural sector and the improvement of the quality of life of farmers and fisherfolks. 
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SEC. 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation 
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of this Act shall be drawn from the savings of the national government. Thereafter, the funds 
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necessary for the continuous implementation of the Program shall be sourced from ten percent 
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(10%) of the total annual duties collected from the importation of agricultural products. The 
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supplemental amount necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual 
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appropriations of the DA. 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the date 
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of effectivity of this Act, the PCIC shall, in consultation with the DA, SSS, the Department of 
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Budget and Management, Department of Finance, and other relevant stakeholders, formulate 
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the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby, shall 
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continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
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regulations, other issuances, and parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this 
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Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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publication in three (3) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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