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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES {DATE February 19,2024 gp
Quezon City 3 TIME 1:35pm *
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS, Ke. BY ca

Second Regular Session S yy $
HOUSE BILLNO. 9941 Yo inpek

Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

Many developing countries are undergoing a process of “structural transformation’ in
which large numbers of workers move from agriculture to other sectors and from self-employment
into wage work. This may be a good indicator of economic development and progress but also
poses an alarming consequence in the aspect of food security and sustainability where our farmers
and fisherfolks are leaving the industry sector to work for a daily wage, with benefits and security.
The continued occupational shift from farming to other industry will contribute to the drop in
agricultural produce,

‘One of the reasons of the shift from agricultural farming to other industry wage earning is
the standpoint of being physically insured against sickness, injury, death and retirement.

Before, most people in rural areas who were raised on a farm may feel most competent in
this kind of environment. Also, working on a family farm often allows one to maintain close
relations with parents and other family members. However, time has change and our farmers must
look beyond to what they are having at the present.

‘The government’s support to farmers and fisherfolks is through the protection of their
produce, provision of facilities to process and store them. Our farmers are also offered financial
assistance and grants to sustain the aftermath of calamities. It is just proper that we give our farmers
and fisherfolks a security a pension and benefit scheme once they reached the retirement age.

This representation therefore files this measure that seeks to provide self-employment
benefits to our farmers and fisherfolks by introducing a pension scheme and social security
program for them.

In view of the above, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

SALVADO} PLEYTO, SR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRI
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 9941

Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

AN ACT INTRODUCING A FARMERS’ SELF-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND.
INCENTIVES PROGRAM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Farmers’ self-employment benefits
and incentives Act of 2024.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:

) 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 Filipinos;

©) Protect and promote the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk through policies that would
abate their socio-economic risks and vulnerabilities with the end in view of ‘improving
their quality of life; and

4) Provide and institutionalize a comprehensive pension and social security program for
the benefit of agricultural workers,

SEC. 3. Creation of the Farmer’s Self-employment Benefits and Incentives Program.

‘There is hereby established the “Farmer’s Self-employment Benefits and Incentives
Program” which shall provide farmers and fisherfolk a source of retirement income when they
reach their retirement age.

The Program shall consist of the comprehensive benefits package under the social security

program of the Social Security System (SSS) and relevant programs of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).



SEC. 4. Implementing Agencies. The PCIC and the SSS shall be the primary implementing
agencies of the provisions of this Act. They shall perform the following duties and functions:

a) The SSS and PCIC shall tap the expertise of other relevant government offices in the
formulation of the objectives, targets, and approaches under the Program.

b) The PCIC shall manage the registration system of eligible agricultural workers under
the Registry system for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and maintain the
required operational reports.

©) 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 in the
efficient and effective 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 that the objectives of the Program are met and shall evaluate and
monitor the Program’s contribution to the productivity of the agricultural sector and
the improvement of the quality of life of farmers and fisherfolk.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. 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.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Within ninety (90) days from the date of
the effectivity of this Act, the PCIC shall, in consultation with the DA, SSS, the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), and the Department of Finance (DOF), formulate the IRR for
the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional,
other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect,

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and other parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,