NINENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 878
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*22 JUL25 P2 29
RtCE!V£DBV;
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FUEL SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPAL FISHERIES, 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 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 Autnority (PSA). Fisheries Statistics of 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-consistently-posted- 
highest-povertv-incidence-among-basic
4 Ibid.
5 Bernal, B. "Fisherfolk suffer from PFI seas degradation" /?opp/er (24 July 2015). Retrieved from 
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/30854-fisherfolk-suffer-over-ph-seas-degradation
6 Ibid.
7 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.
8Op.Cit
9 Ocampo, K. "High fuel cost jacks up fish prices" The Philippine Daily Inquirer {12 October 2018). Retrieved from 
https://business.inquirer.net/258832/high-fuel-cost-iacks-fish-prices


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. R7R
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*22 JUL25 P2:29
RHCEiVfcD !!V.
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING A FUEL SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPAL FISHERIES, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the nPantawid Pambangka
2 
Act of2022"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the crucial role of municipal
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fisherfolk In ensuring the food security of the country. It Is hereby declared a policy of
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the State to provide support to municipal fisherfolk, in recognition of their sacrifices and
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contributions to the nation, and in pursuit of the Constitutional mandate to promote
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social justice in all phases of development.
8 
Sec. 3. The Pantawid Pambangka Program. - Pursuant to the declared policy of
9 
this Act, there is hereby established the Pantawid Pambangka Program, herein referred
10 
to as the Program which shall provide a fuel voucher worth at least One Thousand
11 
Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month for each eligible beneficiary under this Act: Provided,
12 
that the amount shall be revised every year to account for inflation. The Program shall
13 
be administered by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
14 
Sec. 4. Beneficiaries. - This beneficiaries of this Act shall be municipal fisherfolk
15 
who fish within municipal waters, whether coastal or inland, and who use motorized
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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 
Aquatic Resources shall be a precondition for the receipt of benefits under this Act.
Sec. 5. Convergence of Social Services. - 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.
Sec. 6. Non-Diminution of Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
reduce existing benefits granted under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, or any 
contract, agreement, or policy between the employer and employee.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. -The equivalent of ten percent (10%) of any increase in 
the collections in the excise tax on fuel shall be earmarked for the implementation for 
this Act, which shall be Indicated as a separate line-item under the annual 
appropriations of the DA under the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DA shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
carry out the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force 
and effect.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - Ali laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, 
and administrative regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,