Bill proposes pensions for farmers, fishermen

MANILA, Philippines — A bill has been filed in Congress to create an Agricultural Pension Program for farmers and fishermen in the country.

Rep. Nathaniel Oducado of 1Tahanan party-list has filed House Bill 5009, also known as Pensyonadong Magsasaka at Mangingisda, which seeks to create an agricultural pension program to provide long-overdue social security and pension benefits to the country’s farmers and fisherfolk.

The lawmaker pointed out that despite being the backbone of national food security, farmers and fishermen remain among the poorest in the country.

He said that in 2023, poverty incidence was recorded at 27 percent among farmers and 27.4 percent among fisherfolk, placing them among the top three poorest sectors in the country. Unlike workers in the formal sector, they are largely excluded from the national social security system, leaving them vulnerable in times of old age, illness or disability.

Oducado pointed out that the proposed measure would establish a comprehensive pension and social security program, while also offering an educational scholarship to the legitimate and legally adopted children of registered farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries - with reasonable allowances for supplies and other academic needs.

“This aims not only to secure their present welfare but also to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to quality education,” Oducado said.