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

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4821

Introduced by Honorable Michaelina M. Antonio

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XVI, Section 8 of the Constitution declares that the State shall, from time
to time, review to upgrade the pensions and other benefits due to retirees of both the
government and the private sectors.

Currently, the government provides pensions to indigent senior citizens, members
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and employees of the government and private
sectors through the GSIS and SSS, respectively.

As much as it is laudable that our government provides much-needed assistance
to our citizens through social pensions, we must acknowledge the reality that there are
sectors being neglected.

The agricultural sector, which accounts for 10.3% of the Filipino GDP! and
employs a third of the Filipino workforce? remains to be underprivileged when it comes
to pensions and benefits. Farmers and fisherfolk who are responsible in producing food
for the nation are the most disadvantaged workers. They toil and till the land under
extreme weather conditions, yet ear very little to feed their families. And still, in their
old age, after all their sacrifices, they have no assurance of a secured retirement.

In response to this sad plight of our agricultural workers, this bill aims to establish
an “Agricultural Pension Fund,” from which our farmers and fisher folk will receive their
monthly pensions once they retire. With this proposed pension plan, the government will
be able to recognize the plight of, and give due respect to our farmers and fisherfolk
whose hard work and continuous efforts ensure that we have food on our plates on a daily
basis.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Orv)
MICHELDE M. ay,
"pra vals e f GDP)” Captian epfeato NV AGR TOTL-25acaon Pi). Reed Aug 3, 2015

* "Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)”. (tp/Mata. woldbank orpindcator/SL-AGR EMPL). Retrieved August 32016


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4821

Introduced by Honorable Michaelina M. Antonio

AN ACT CREATING AN AGRICULTURAL PENSION FUND TO PROVIDE

PENSION BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND FISHER FOLK

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

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the Agricultural Pension Fund Act of
2016.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The Constitution provides that the State shall, from
time to time, review to upgrade the pensions and other benefits due to retirees of both the
government and private sectors. As far as may be possible, it should provide to those who
have less in life the opportunity to eam for their living so that they may play a more active
role in social life and especially in the economic and political spheres. It is the duty of
‘the State to create conditions which are necessary to realize the right of all citizens
particularly the underprivileged the equal opportunity.

SECTION 3. Creation of the Agricultural Pension Fund — The Agricultural Pension
Fund is hereby established to provide pension benefits to agricultural workers,
specifically 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 main


implementing agency of the provisions of this Act. To fulfil the goals of this Act, it shall

perform the following duties and functions:

a. manage and invest the funds properly to ensure sustainability and increased
capacity to provide benefits;

b. create a pension plan that shall become the basis for the allocation of benefits to
its pensioners;

¢. promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act;

d. coordinate with other relevant agencies in the fulfilment of the goals of this Act;
and

e. perform other duties and functions towards and efficient and effective

implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the PCIC Board of Directors shall, in consultation with the
Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of recognized farmers and fisherfolk’s
groups, promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 6. Appropriations ~ To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the Program shalll be

included in the annual appropriation of the DA.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause ~ If 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,

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with any provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended

accordingly.
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,