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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One of the integral parts of an economy is the agricultural sector. Food security and 
sustenance of the Filipino people heavily relies upon the agricultural sector. This role 
notwithstanding, members of the agricultural sector, particularly our farmers and 
fisherfolks, continue to be among the poorest with a poverty incidence rate of 30.6% 
as of data gathered from 2021. In addition, the sector’s continued lack of social security 
coverage further aggravated their situation. 
Unlike any other workers, members of the agricultural sector do not have a regular 
monthly income, as they are primarily dependent upon their produce which varies on 
a seasonal basis. The lack of a regular monthly income results to the instability of the 
farmers’ ability to pay their monthly contributions as compared to regularly 
employed individuals whose contribution rates in their monthly salary credit are 
being shared by both the employer and employee, respectively. In fact, according to 
the Social Security Service (SSS), 636,000 farmers and fisherfolks are actually 
registered in the SSS – a number which is only seven percent (7%) of the 9.4 million 
self-employed skilled agricultural workers in the country. Among those registered in 
the SSS, only about 35,000 or less than one percent (1%) have paid SSS contributions. 
Towards institutionalizing an inclusive pension system for the agricultural workers’ 
in exchange of their invaluable contributions and oftentimes overlooked hard work to 
ensure the country’s food security despite the relentless challenges of inflation and 
September 27, 2023
9:30 am
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fuel price hikes, this proposed measure seeks to establish a Pension Fund for Farmers 
and Fisherfolk to be administered and implemented by the Philippine Crop Insurance 
Corporation (PCIC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA). 
Considering seasonal and unstable income of farmers and fisherfolks, in contrast with 
the consistent contribution to pension fund of a regular employee, the proposed bill 
provides assurance to the farmers and fisherfolk alike of a more secured future 
especially after years of the backbreaking work of feeding the whole nation.  
HON. PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING PENSION BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK 
THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PENSION FUND FOR FARMERS 
AND FISHERFOLK AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
           Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Pension Fund for Agricultural 
Workers Act." 
           Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
ensure a robust agricultural sector by providing the necessary benefits for agricultural 
workers. The State likewise recognize the importance of farmers and fisherfolk in a 
robust agricultural sector necessary for a country's development. 
           Section 3. Creation of a Pension Fund for Farmers and Fisherfolk. - The Pension 
Fund for Farmers and Fisherfolk is hereby established to provide pension benefits to 
farmers and fisherfolk. 
           Section 4. Implementing Agency. - The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation 
(PCIC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), shall be the 
implementing agency of the provisions of this Act. In addition to its existing duties 
and responsibilities, it shall: 
a) Create a pension plan for farmers and fisherfolk;
b) Manage and invest the Pension Fund for Farmers and Fisherfolk to ensure
its sustainability;
c) Determine the criteria for eligibility, in coordination with relevant
government agencies;
d) Perform other duties and functions towards the efficient and effective
implementation of this Act.
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           Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the PCIC Board of Directors, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of recognized farmers and fisherfolks 
group, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
           Section 6. Appropriations. Such amount necessary to implement the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DA.  
 
           Section 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
  
           Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
           Section 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,