EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 865
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*19 AUG -5 P5--49
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
RECEIViDBY;
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FUEL SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPAL FISHERFOLK,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
The fisheries sector is one of the major contributors to our country's economy 
and food security. In 2017, the sector produced 4.31 million metric tons of fish and 
related products, which were valued at Php 243.94 million in total.1 In particular, the 
municipal fisheries sector- which is composed of fisherfolk who fish within municipal 
waters, whether coastal or inland, and who use motorized fishing vessels of three (3) 
gross tons or less- contributed Php 83.48 million in the same year.2
Yet despite their large contribution to the country, fisherfolk remain among the 
poorest of the basic sectors. In 2015, a poverty incidence of 34.0% was recorded 
among fisherfolk.3 This means that 3 out of every 10 fisherfolk are poor. In fact, 
fisherfolk have remained among the poorest sectors since 2006.4
One reason is low income. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources, the the daily income per fishing boat in the Philippines is pegged at P272.5 
Since each boat is manned by 2-3 workers, the daily income per fisherfolk is estimated 
at around P90-P136.6 In contrast, the minimum daily wage outside of Manila ranges 
between Php 273.00 to Php 400.00.7
1 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Fisheries Statistics o f the Philippines 2015 to 2017.
2 Ibid.
3 PSA. "Farmers, Fishermen and Children consistently posted the highest poverty incidence among basic sectors" 
(30 June 2017). Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/farmers-fishermen-and-children-consistentlv-posted- 
hiehest-povertv-incidence-among-basic
4 Ibid.
5 Bernal, B. "Fisherfolk suffer from  PH seas degradation" Rappler (24 July 2015). Retrieved from 
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/30854-fisherfolk-suffer-over-ph-seas-degradation
6 Ibid.
1 National Wages and Productivity Commission. "Daily Minimum Wage Rates". Retrieved from 
http://www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph/


Another key driver of poverty among fisherfolk is the rising proportion of cost to 
actual yield. According to Greenpeace, the cost of fishing in terms of gasoline and time 
increased over the years while the resulting yield relative to the cost is at its lowest 
since the 1950s.8 At present, it is estimated that fuel accounts for almost 60% of each 
fisherfolk's production cost.9 This is likely to increase, as the depletion of fishing 
grounds will force fisherfolk to venture further into the sea.
Thus, the present measure proposed to provide a fuel subsidy for municipal 
fisherfolk who utilize motorized boats. It proposes to provide a fuel voucher worth at 
least One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month for each eligible beneficiary. In 
addition, beneficiaries of this program shall also be automatically enrolled and covered 
under the National Health Insurance program of the Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation (PhilHealth). The Social Security System (SSS) shall also provide micro­
insurance mechanisms to beneficiaries of the program.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is immediately sought.
—
ACE POE
Op.at.
9 Ocampo, K. "High fuel cost jacks up fish prices" The Philippine Daily Inquirer (12 October 2018). Retrieved from 
https://business.inQuirer.net/258832/hieh-fuel-cost-iacks-fish-prices


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 865
'TJcna.':
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'1^ AUG-5 P5 ^9
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Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FUEL SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPAL FISHERFOLK, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Pantawid Pambangka
Act'd
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The State recognizes the crucial role of municipal 
fisherfolk in ensuring the food security of the country. It is hereby declared a policy of 
the State to provide support to municipal fisherfolk, in recognition of their sacrifices and 
contributions to the nation, and in pursuit of the Constitutional mandate to promote 
social justice in all phases of development.
Sec. 3. The Pantawid Pambangka Program. -  Pursuant to the declared policy of 
this Act, there is hereby established the Pantawid Pambangka Program, herein referred 
to as the Program which shall provide a fuel voucher worth at least One Thousand 
Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month for each eligible beneficiary under this Act: Provided, 
that the amount shall be revised every year to account for inflation. The Program shall 
be administered by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Sec. 4. Beneficiaries. -  This beneficiaries of this Act shall be municipal fisherfolk 
who fish within municipal waters, whether coastal or inland, and who use motorized 
fishing vessels of three (3) gross tons or less: Provided, that registration under the


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National Program for Municipal Fisherfolk Registration of the Bureau of Fisheries and
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Aquatic Resources shall be a precondition for the receipt of benefits under this Act.
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Sec. 5. Convergence o f Social Services. -  Beneficiaries of this program shall also
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be automatically enrolled and covered under the National Health Insurance program of
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the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The Social Security System
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(SSS) shall also provide micro-insurance mechanisms to beneficiaries of the program.
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Sec. 6. Non-Diminution o f Benefits. -  Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
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reduce existing benefits granted under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, or any
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contract, agreement, or policy between the employer and employee.
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Sec. 7. Appropriations. -T he equivalent of ten percent (10%) of any increase in
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the collections in the excise tax on fuel shall be earmarked for the implementation for
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this Act, which shall be indicated as a separate line-item under the annual
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appropriations of the DA under the General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within six (6) months from the
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effectivity of this Act, the DA shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
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carry out the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force
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and effect.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
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and administrative regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
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Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,