NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
of tlir %
23 FEB-7 P5 -48
SENATE
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
CREATING AN AGRICULTURAL PENSION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SOCIAL 
SECURITY AND PENSION BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The farmers and fisherfolk play a significant role in food security and economic 
development. However, in a World Bank Report, "the farmers and fisherfolk residing 
in rural areas remain the poorest since 2006. Farmers were recorded with 31.6% 
poverty incidence in 2018 while fishers with 26.2%. Basically, around 5.5 million 
farmers and 4.6 million fisherfolks are poor."
The famous Filipino song, "Magtanim ay 'di biro," provides a vivid narrative of 
the decades of backbreaking work and poverty endured by the farmers which 
instinctively would desire that their children do not follow in their footsteps.
In the November 2022 Labor Force Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, 
around 21% of the country's labor force are employed in agriculture. The lack of long 
term benefits coupled by low income and undesirable work conditions are 
compounding factors affecting the number of agriculture workers which will definitely 
affect food security. Hence, this measure hopes to reduce their socio-economic risks 
and vulnerabilities.
This measure proposes the establishment of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Social 
Security and Pension Program that will provide the agriculture workers with social 
pension upon retirement. The said social security program will be implemented by the 
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and the Social Security System (SSS).
In view of recognizing the vital role of the farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring 
food security, and in the national development, the approval of this bill is most 
earnestly sought
RAMOI^ONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1853
23 FEB-7 P5 ^8
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
CREATING AN AGRICULTURAL PENSION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SOCIAL 
SECURITY AND PENSION BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pensyon para PiHpinong 
Magsasaka at Mangingisda Act of2023'.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
a. Revitalize the agriculture industry towards sustainability and create the 
necessary conditions to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve the general 
health and nutrition of Filipinos;
b. Recognize the fundamental role and give proper value to the contributions 
of farmers and fisherfolk in our daily survival, national development, and in ensuring 
long-term food security;
c. Protect and promote the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk by putting in place 
measures that would reduce their socio-economic risks and vulnerabilities, thereby 
improving their quality of life; and
d. Establish and institutionalize a comprehensive pension and social security 
program for the benefit of agricultural workers.
Sec. 3. The Farmers and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension Program. - 
There is hereby established the "Farmers and Fisherfolk Social Security and Pension 
Program," herein referred to as the Program, which shall provide agricultural workers 
a substantial and reliable source of income security and secured retirement in their


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old age. The Program shall consist of a comprehensive and holistic approach in the
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provision of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral benefits to
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farmers and fisherfolk. It shall be integrated and made consistent with the package
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benefits under Social Security System (SSS) and relevant programs of the Department
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of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
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Sec. 4. Implementing Agencies. - The PCIC, an attached agency of the DA, and
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the SSS shall be the primary implementing agencies of the provisions of this Act. To
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fulfill the goals of this Act, they shall perform the following duties and functions:
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a. The SSS and PCIC shall tap the expertise of other relevant government offices
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in the formulation of the objectives, targets, and approaches under the
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Program.
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b. 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
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maintain the required operational reports.
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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
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reports.
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d. The PCIC and the SSS shall perform other duties and functions necessary in
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the efficient and effective implementation of this Act. The PCIC and the SSS
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shall collaborate with and secure the technical assistance of the DA in all stages
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of implementation of this Act
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The DA shall ensure that the objectives of the Program are met and shall
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evaluate and monitor the Program's contribution to the productivity of the agricultural
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sector and the improvement of the quality of life of farmers and fisherfolk.
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Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
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implementation of this Act shall be drawn from the savings of the National
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Government. Thereafter, the funds necessary for the continuous implementation of
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the program shall be sourced from ten percent (10%) of the total annual duties
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collected from the importation of agricultural products. The supplemental amount
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necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual appropriations of the
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DA.


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Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days
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from the date of effectivity of this Act, the PCIC shall, in consultation with the DA,
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SSS, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of
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Finance (DOF), formulate the IRR for the proper implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain
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in full force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and
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other parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
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amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation
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in the Philippines.
Approved,