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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING SUBSIDY ALLOWANCE FOR ALL ELDERLY FARMERS, FISHERFOLKS, 
AND DRIVERS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE  
“When I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not.” 
-Psalm 71:18a (KJV)
This was the prayer and request by King David, who is described as a man after God’s 
own heart, a shepherd, a warrior, and the second king of Israel chosen by God through the 
prophet Samuel.  He recognized the fragility of being an elderly person and their increased 
vulnerability to physical, mental, and emotional challenges due to the aging process.  
In the same manner, our Government must also recognize its elderly citizens, particularly 
our elderly farmers, fisherfolks who are the bedrock of our food security, and our elderly drivers 
who are the fulcrum and linchpin of our transportation sector that affects economic activities, 
social well-being, and overall progress. Their unwavering dedication and hard work have been 
the backbone of our nation’s sustenance and progress. 
Regretfully, the number of farmers worldwide is also getting older. According to the 
Department of Agriculture, the average age of a farmer in our country today is currently 57. A lot 
of elderly people—older farmers in particular—keep working for their families and giving back 
to their communities and country despite limitations and difficulties brought on by a variety of 
circumstances, such as but not limited to age, strength, and health problems.  
In the same quandary are our fisherfolks. Filipino fisherfolks face two challenges when 
going to the sea. First, artisanal fisherfolks’ small boats aren’t equipped to go to farther territories. 
Second, despite unequal battlegrounds, they brave the seas to join the commercial fishing vessels 
to earn a little from a flawed commission system.1 It will be then considerably more difficult on 
the part of our elderly fisherfolks. Sadly, despite their contribution to food security, they 
1 https://earthjournalism.net/stories/rich-seas-poor-fishers-the-impact-of-fisheries-subsidies-in-the-philippines. 
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remained one of the poorest and most vulnerable in the country. In 2018, the Philippine Statistics 
Authority estimated that Filipino fisherfolk had a 26.2% poverty incidence, considered to be one 
of the highest among the basic sectors. 
On the other hand, in a case study that was conducted, it was found that Jeepney drivers 
were likely to suffer from musculoskeletal discomfort, due to the poor design of their workspace 
and the system used for fare collection. Their current workspace did not conform to Filipino 
drivers’ anthropometric measurements and the drivers were subjected to awkward driving 
postures, due to the location of the controls and the task of collecting fares.2 This predicament is 
more aggravating for our elderly drivers who despite their old age, stayed true to their 
responsibility to provide food for their families.  
Thus, this Bill seeks to uplift the morale of our resilient elderly farmers, hard-working 
elderly fisherfolks, and road-warriors elderly drivers considering their significant contributions 
that go beyond the fields, seas, and roads. These elderly individuals represent the heartbeat of 
our nation, and as we acknowledge their efforts, we must also ensure that their twilight years are 
marked by dignity and respect. Moreover, this Bill is not just a moral imperative but also a 
strategic necessity for the sustainability and prosperity of our economy. By investing in their 
morale through subsidy allowance, we not only honor their legacy but also fortify the foundation 
upon which the future of our beloved country will thrive. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
2 Seva, R., Axalan, D. M., Landicho,. Case Study. (2021)Workplace Efficiency Improvement for Jeepney Drivers in 
Metro Manila, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING SUBSIDY ALLOWANCE FOR ALL ELDERLY FARMERS, FISHERFOLKS, 
AND DRIVERS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in session 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Subsidy Allowance For Elderly 
Farmer,s, Fisherfolks, and Drivers Act of 2024.” 
SEC. 2 Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to recognize 
the invaluable contributions of elderly farmers, fisherfolks and drivers in vital recognition of the 
important role they play in sustaining food security and economic growth and development.  
SEC. 3 Subsidy Allowance. -  A monthly subsidy allowance of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) 
is hereby granted to all elderly farmers pursuant to Section 4 of this Act.  
SEC. 4 Coverage. – The grant of subsidy allowance authorized in this Act shall be limited 
to: 
a.) Elderly farmers aged 60 years old and above who are natural persons depending on 
farming as their primary source of income and on the sale, barter, or exchange of 
agricultural products.  
Includes cut flower, growers, nursery operators, commercial tree planters, seed 
producers, and small agricultural producers as tenants sharecroppers, peasants, small 
owner cultivators, or any self-employed individual who, by himself or with his family, 
or provides the primary labor requirements of his business enterprise.  
b.) Elderly fisherfolks aged 60 years old and above who directly or personally and 
physically engaged in taking and/or culturing and processing fishery and/or aquatic 
resources as their primary source of income.  
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c.) Elderly drivers aged 60 years old and above who are licensed operators of a motor 
vehicle whether for private use or for hire to the public as their primary source of 
income.  
SEC. 5 Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Agriculture, Department 
of Transportation, and the Department of Budget and Management shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days 
from the date of its effectivity. 
SEC. 6. Periodic Review for Increases. – The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of 
Transportation, and Commisioners of National Commission of Senior Citizens are hereby 
mandated to conduct a periodic review of the subsidy allowance, taking into account the current 
inflation rate, and if warranted, recommend the necessary increase in the amount of the 
allowance. 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. – Upon effectivity of this Act, the amount necessary for its 
implementation shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Agriculture 
and Department of Transportation for the current fiscal year. Thereafter, the funds shall be 
provided in the annual General Appropriation Act.  
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum orders, 
memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances, or parts thereof, which are 
inconsistent with the right to adequate food and the provisions of this Act, are hereby deemed 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,