Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 2012 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics show that the agricultural sector employs an
estimated 12 million people, making up 33 percent of the country's labor force. About 70
percent of the rural poor are farmers and fishermen.

It is unfortunate that the government investment in the sector was only 4 percent of the
national budget notwithstanding its contribution of about 11 percent to the country's gross
domestic product (GDP) in 2011 where the total government spending on agriculture was
almost 24 percent lower than the previous year.

According to the experts, the weak government policies and programs, an excessive’
reliance on agricultural imports, and corruption, have taken their toll on the agricultural
sector. On the side of education, the average level of education of a farmer is grade five.

‘This measure, which was originally filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, aims to help the
agricultural sector by providing social services to dependents of farmers as a gesture of
recognition to their sacrifices and a statement to the agricultural sector that the State is
serious in providing them with adequate support. It also aims to encourage their children
to continue farming and help in the livelihood of the family.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

-
ihe
ANGELINA “HEI .L, TAN, M.D.

4% District, Quezon

05 AUG 2014
mFH,

Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS a )


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No.__4815

_Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE DEPENDENTS OF FARMERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Social Services for Farmers’

Dependents Act.” -

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term "Farming" or "agriculture"
shall include farming in all of its branches and the cultivation and tillage of the soil,
dairying, the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting of any agricultural,
aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural commodities, the growing and harvesting of
forest products upon forest land, the raising of livestock including horses, the keeping of
horses as a commercial enterprise, the keeping and raising of poultry, swine, cattle and
other domesticated animals used for food purposes, bees, fur-bearing animals, and any
forestry or lumbering operations, performed by a farmer, who is hereby defined as one
engaged in agriculture or farming as herein defined, or on a farm as an incident to or in
conjunction with such farming operations, including preparations for market, delivery to
storage or to market or to carriers for transportation to market.

A "dependent" means a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child chiefly dependent
upon and living with the taxpayer if such dependent is not more than twenty-one (21)
years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or if such dependent, regardless of age,
is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect.

SEC. 3. Farmers’ Dependents Social Services Program. - There shall be created a Farmers’
Dependents Social Services Program which shall be in charge of the delivery of social
services to the dependents of farmers and farm workers.

SEC. 4. Farmers’ Dependents Social Services Program Office. -There is hereby created an
Office in the Department of Agriculture that shall be responsible for the implementation of
the Farmers’ Dependents Social Services Program in Section 4 of this Act. It shall be in
charge of the delivery of the following:

(A) Credit facilities during times of natural such as typhoons, drought, and other similar
events;

(B) Counseling and information dissemination on available healthcare for dependents;

(C) Coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in drawing and
implementing plans for the promotion of the welfare of the dependents on farmers,
particularly those who belong to the poorest of the poor;

(D) Prepare a report on the dependents of farmers who are in most need of assistance and
to draw up a financial assistance package to be drawn from private contributors;

(E) Conduct seminars, trainings, and other related activities.


SEC. 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall
be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the Department of Agriculture.
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual budget of the DA under the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Incentives. - In order to encourage private sector participation, all expenses incurred
by any private individual, corporation, or a non-governmental organization, in the
establishment of facilities or in the performance of services, including donations, which are
consistent with the declared policies of this Act, shall be considered as allowable
deductions from the gross income as defined under the National Internal Revenue Code, as
amended.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Agriculture and the
Department of Social Welfare and Development shall jointly issue the implementing rules
and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days from
its date of effectivity.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - \f any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC, 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,