Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1813

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY: HONORABLE ROGELIO D. PACQUIAO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the biggest industries in the Philippines is Agriculture. It has provided our
economy with seven point one percent (7.1%) of the total agro-based products exported in
April 2012 based on the NSO Foreign Trade Statistics, and is also the source of the twelve
percent (12.5%) of our country’s GDP in the first quarter of 2012 which came from fishery,
hunting, agriculture and forestry (NSCB, First Quarter 2012, National Accounts).

In the April 2016 report of the Philippine Statistic Authority, twenty five percent (25%)
of the total number of employed Filipinos belong to the Agricultural Sector. Thus, apart from
advancing the facilities of Agriculture, the state should also attend to the welfare of the people
who run the said industry.

Despite being part of the most significant sectors in the Philippines, many Farmers and
Fisherfolk remain to be one of the poorest groups in the country. Hence, it is critical to
recognise their plight and consequently address it as it is alarming and ironic to see that the
major producers of food in our country are faced with pressing issues such as shortage in food
and other basic commodities.

Farmers and Fisherfolk should be treated as two of the pillars of the Philippine economy
and should be given proper acknowledgement for feeding the whole Philippine Population. It
is vital to support this sector and accord them alll the support services they need. These services
include Social Protection such as Social Pension when they reach the advanced age and are no
longer capable of working.

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



Republic of the Phili
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1813

INTRODUCED BY: HONORABLE ROGELIO D. PACQUIAO

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAM TO ASSIST
INDIGENT FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK WHO HAVE REACHED THE
RETIREMENT AGE WITHOUT EXISTING PENSION.”

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to give
due recognition to the great contribution rendered by Farmers and Fisherfolk to the Philippine
economy. It affirms that Fisherfolk and Farmers are integral to the country’s development
and shall thus be entitled to social benefits provided by the Philippine Government. The State
is compelled to formulate appropriate Social Security Programs for the aforementioned sector
such as sufficient Social Pension upon reaching the age of retirement to assist them with their
basic needs. Moreover, the State should augment its current efforts to ensure that the needs of
the Retired Indigent Fisherfolk and Farmers are properly addressed.

SECTION 2. Retirement upon reaching the age of sixty (60). All Farmers and
Fisherfolk who have reached the age of 60 shall be considered retired.

SECTION 3. Social Pension Program for Farmers and Fisherfolk. All Retired
Indigent Farmers and Fisherfolk without existing pensions, particularly those who are not
beneficiaries of any of the Social Protection Programs of the DSWD, should be entitled to a
monthly stipend from the government. They should be given not less than One Thousand Pesos
(P1,000) a month to sustain their basic needs provided that they satisfy the criteria for
eligibility.

SECTION 4. Other Assistance. The Department of Agriculture shall also ensure its
continuous support to the families of concerned farmers and fisherfolk by helping them to have
an easy access to inputs to production such as seeds, fertilizer, post-production facilities and
other needs connected to their livelihood.

SECTION 5. Eligibility. The criteria for eligibility should be regulated by the Local
Government Units in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social
Welfare and Development and Recognized Representatives of the Sector.


SECTION 6. Issuance of Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Implementing
Rules and Regulations should be jointly formulated by the Department of Agriculture,
Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other concerned stakeholders.

SECTION 7. Funding. The allocation for the said program should be downloaded to
the Department of Social Welfare and Development as the implementing body in close
coordination with the Local Government Units.

SECTION 8. Monitoring. An effective and appropriate monitoring and evaluation
mechanism should be established by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Local Government Units to ensure proper
implementation and identification of future improvements.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions thereof are not affected by such declaration and shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,