TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
Senate Bill No. 244
25 JUL-8 P5-08
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
CREATING AN AGRICULTURAL PENSION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE 
SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSION BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, with farmers and 
fisherfolk playing a vital role in our overall development. As of April 2025, some 10 
million Filipinos, or roughly 20.6% of the labor force, were employed in farming and 
fishing.1 In 2024, agriculture, forestry, and fishing accounted for 8% of the Philippines' 
GDP, a modest share, yet one that belies the sector's foundational role. In real terms, 
using constant 2018 prices, its gross value added stood at PI.78 trillion, a testament 
to its continued relevance amid an increasingly service-driven economy.2
Yet despite its economic weight, the sector's productivity has failed to lift the 
fortunes of those who toil within it. Farmers and fisherfolk remain among the poorest 
in the country. In 2023, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows poverty 
incidence at 27% for farmers and 27.4% for fisherfolk, figures that have stubbornly 
persisted, with both groups also topping poverty rankings in 2018 and 2021.3
1 
PSA. April 2025 Labor Force Survey. Available at https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/labor-force-survey/latest-press- 
release (Accessed on 04 July 2025).
2 
PSA. Agriculture and Fisheries Indicators System: Economic Growth (2020 - 2024). Published in June 2025.
Available 
at 
https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/main-
publication/AFIS%20Economic%20Growth%20Agriculture%202020-2024_signed.pdf (Accessed on 04 July 
2025).
3 
PSA. Poverty Incidence Declines from 2021 to 2023 in Ten Basic Sectors. Published on 31 March 2025. Available 
at https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/poverty (Accessed on 03 July 2025).
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Further, agricultural work remains poorly rewarded compared with other sectors. 
In 2023, the average daily basic wage in the sector stood at just P322.23.4 Minimum 
wages for agricultural workers can be as low as P366.00, in stark contrast to those in 
non-agricultural roles, where daily minimum pay can reach up to P695.00.5
The low earnings in farming have deterred younger Filipinos from pursuing 
agriculture. A study in the Philippine Journal of Science highlights the sector's ageing 
workforce, with the average age of farmers now 53, up from 46 in 1966. Most have 
been in the industry for around 25 years. According to the study, 73% of farmers are 
convinced that their children would face bleak prospects if they followed in their 
footsteps, citing the physically demanding and financially unrewarding nature of 
farming.6
Thus, this proposed measure aims to acknowledge and properly value the crucial 
role of farmers and fisherfolk in sustaining daily life, securing food, and driving national 
development. There is an urgent need to safeguard their welfare through policies that 
mitigate their socioeconomic risks and vulnerabilities. To this end, a comprehensive 
pension and social security program is proposed to benefit farmers and fisherfolk. The 
State must ensure a higher quality of life for them, offering a reliable source of 
retirement benefits and social security for those who sustain the nation's food supply.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
joe^illanueva9"
4 
PSA. Agriculture and Fisheries Indicators System: Employment and Wages (2019 - 2023). Published in
November 
2024. 
Available 
at 
https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/main-
publication/AFIS%20Employment%20and%20Wages%20in%20Agri%20and%20Fishing%202019-2023_e- 
signed.pdf (Accessed on 03 July 2025).
5 
DOLE-NWPC. Summary of Current Regional Dally Minimum Wage Rates by Region, Non-Agriculture and 
Agriculture, as of 01 July 2025. Available at https://nwpc.dole.gov.ph/summary-of-current-regional-daily- 
minimum-wage-rates-by-region-non-agriculture-and-agriculture/ (Accessed on 04 July 2025).
6 
Palis, F. (2020). Aging Filipino Rice Farmers and their Aspirations for their Children. Philippine Journal of
Science, 
M9 
(2): 
351 
- 
361. 
Available 
at
https://phllJournalscldost.gov.pti/lmages/pdf/pjs_pdf/voll49no2/aglng__flllplno_rlce_farmers_.pdf (Accessed 
on 03 July 2025).


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL -8 ?5 :08
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
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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 Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pensyonadong 
Magsasaka at Mangingisda Act"
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 farmers and fisherfolk.


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SEC. 3. Fanners 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 farmers and 
fisherfolk a substantial and reliable source of income security and secured retirement 
in their old age.
The Program shall consist of a comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and 
holistic approach in the provision of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, 
and funeral benefits to farmers and fisherfolk.
It shall be integrated and made consistent with the package benefits under 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.
To fulfill the goals of this Act, they shall perform the following duties and 
functions:
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The PCIC and the SSS shall tap the expertise of other relevant government 
offices in the formulation of the objectives, targets, and approaches under 
the Program.
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The PCIC shall manage the registration system of eligible farmers and 
fisherfolk under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture 
(RSBSA) and maintain the required operational reports.
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 
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.


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SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
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impiementation of this Act shall be drawn from the savings of the nationai
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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. Any 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. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations (IRR). - Within ninety (90)
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days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the PCIC shall, in consultation with the
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DA, SSS, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Finance,
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promulgate the rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
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Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the
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specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to
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administrative penalties under appiicable civil service laws.
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Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the
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government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with
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gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.
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SEC. 7. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 8. Repeaiing Ciause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, ruie, or regulation inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shaii take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Officiai Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,