Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A FUEL SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPAL FISHERFOLK, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
It is no secret that our fishing sector are among the poorest Filipinos despite being 
one of the major contributors to our economy and food security. Low income is a 
primary reason. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the 
daily income per fishing boat in the Philippines is around PhP272, which is divided 
into 2-3 who man the boat.  
This proposed measure seeks 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. This is in 
response to the fact that fuel is a main driver of cost for fisherfolk. It is estimated that 
fuel accounts for almost 60% of each fisherfolk's production cost. This is likely to 
increase with our fisherfolk forced to venture further into the sea with the depletion of 
fishing grounds. 
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 microinsurance mechanisms to beneficiaries of the program. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
July 11, 2022
5:21 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A FUEL SUBSIDY FOR MUNICIPAL FISHERFOLK, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Pantawid Pambangka Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the crucial role of municipal 
fisherfolk in ensuring the food security of the country. It is hereby declared a policy of 
the State to provide support to municipal fisherfolk, in recognition of their sacrifices 
and contributions to the nation, and in pursuit of the Constitutional mandate to 
promote social justice in all phases of development. 
Sec. 3. The Pantawid Pambangka Program. – Pursuant to the declared policy of 
this Act, there is hereby established the Pantawid Pambangka Program, herein 
referred to as the Program which shall provide a fuel voucher worth at least One 
Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) per month for each eligible beneficiary under this Act: 
Provided, that the amount shall be revised every year to account for inflation. The 
Program shall be administered by the Department of Agriculture (DA). 
Sec. 4. Beneficiaries. – The beneficiaries of this Act shall be municipal fisherfolk who 
fish within municipal waters, whether coastal or inland, and who use motorized fishing 
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vessels of three (3) gross tons or less: Provided, that registration under the 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. – All 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,