Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1458 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL PENSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY 
BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLKS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2021, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) revealed that 
approximately one-quarter of the country's workforce is employed in agriculture. This reality 
highlights the critical importance of agriculture not just in food security, but as well as in economic 
stability. Despite this, the sector produced only 9 percent (9%) of the country's gross domestic 
product (GDP), and the output remains low compared to other sectors. 
 The challenges mentioned above stemmed from the decline in population growth, 
shrinking farm size, and decreasing worker incomes. To mitigate this, the PIDS provided three 
pathways forward, one of which is improving credit access for farmers and fishermen. This could 
be achieved by adopting innovative financial services that effectively address their needs. 
 Further, Climate Change is another challenge that poses a risk to development as it 
impedes economic activities, disrupts agriculture, and damages infrastructure. According to the 
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the 
Philippines experiences an average of twenty (20) tropical cyclones yearly, which positions our 
farmers and fisherfolks in a most vulnerable position. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
July 7, 2025
3:14 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1458 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL PENSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY 
BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLKS 
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.” 
SECTION 2 Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to: 
(a) Establish, develop, and promote sound and viable social security schemes suitable to
the needs of the people;
(b) Strengthen the agriculture sector through sustainable efforts to end hunger, achieve
food security, and improve the general health and nutrition of the Filipinos;
(c) Protect and promote the welfare of farmers and fisherfolks through policies that would
subside their socio-economic risks and vulnerabilities with the end view of improving
their quality of life, and:
(d) Provide and institutionalize a comprehensive pension and social security program for
the benefit of agricultural workers
SECTION 3. Creation of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension 
Program. - "The Farmers and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension Program" herein referred to 
as the “Program," shall provide farmers and fisherfolks with a modest, dependable income security 
upon retirement. The Program shall consist of a comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and a 
holistic approach to providing sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral 


benefits to farmers and fisherfolks. The said pension scheme shall be made consistent with the 
package benefits under the existing Social Security program of the Social Security System (SS) 
and relevant programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance 
Corporation (PCIC). 
 
 SECTION 4. Implementing Agencies. - The PCIC, an attached agency of the DA, and the 
SSS shall be the primary implementing agencies of the provision of this Act. To fulfill the goals 
of this Act, they shall perform the following duties and functions:  
(a) The PCIC shall manage the registration system of eligible agricultural workers under 
the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and provide necessary 
operational reports.  
(b) The SSS and PCIC shall tap the expertise of other relevant government offices to 
formulate the objectives, trends, and approaches under the Program.  
(c) The SSS shall manage the funds allocated and the social security and pension scheme 
of the Program and maintain the required actuarial and financial reports.  
(d) The PCIC and the SSS shall perform other duties and functions necessary for the 
efficient implementation of this Act.  
 
The PCIC and the SSS shall collaborate with and secure the technical assistance of the DA 
in all stages of implementation of this Act. The DA shall ensure the objectives of the Program are 
met and shall evaluate and monitor the Program's contribution to the productivity of the 
agricultural sector and improvement of the quality of life of farmers and fisherfolks. 
 
 SECTION 5. Program Review. - The Program shall be reviewed every five (5) years to 
assess its effectiveness, sustainability, and relevance, to be conducted by the Philippine Institute 
for Development Studies (PIDS) with support or participation by the abovementioned 
implementing agencies. 
a. The PCIC and SSS shall provide an annual report to the DA and the PIDS detailing the 
status and progress of the Program. 
b. A feedback mechanism shall be established to allow farmers and fisherfolks to convey 
their concerns, suggestions, and grievances regarding the Program. 
c. All the following information, feedback, and reports shall be provided to the PIDS in a 
timely manner to be used on the five-year review 
 
 SECTION 6. Appropriation - The amount necessary to carry out the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be drawn from the savings of the national government. Thereafter, 
the funds necessary for the continuous implementation of the Program shall be sourced from ten 
percent (10%) of the total annual duties collected from the importation of agricultural products. 
The supplemental amount necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual 
appropriations of the DA. 


 
SECTION. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
date of effectivity of this Act, the PCIC shall, in consultation with the DA, SSS, the Department 
of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, and other relevant stakeholders, formulate 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION. 8. Separability Clause. – Should any provisions or part thereof, 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. – All laws, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with 
the provision of this Act is hereby repealed or amended accordingly.  
   
SECTION. 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,