Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, AND HON. 
TERRY L. RIDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to provide our municipal fisherfolk a fuel subsidy in the form of a voucher in the 
amount of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) per month for each eligible beneficiary to not only 
empower our fisherfolk sector with their livelihood, but to likewise aid them given the 
vulnerability of their sector.  
Our fishing sector is considered as one of the poorest Filipinos despite being one of the major 
contributors to our economy contributing 1.3% to 1.5% to the country’s Gross Domestic 
Product (GDP) and food security due to low income. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources (BFAR), as of 2022, there are a total of 2,302,648 registered fisherfolk in 
the Philippines whose daily income per fishing boat is around PhP272, which is even divided 
into 2-3 who man the boat. With the increasing rate of fuel in this economy, the vulnerable 
sectors such as our fisherfolk are one of those mostly affected because they heavily rely on 
fuel to ensure that they’ll be able to fish within the fishing grounds even from far distances 
especially with the depletion of fishing grounds. 80% of their income is solely just for their fuel 
subsidy, which leaves them with a minimal take home pay.  
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. 
HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
 HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE 
August 7, 2025
3:11 pm
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HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE   
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE , AND HON. 
TERRY L. RIDON 
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 of 2025". 
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 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, 
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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,