Pension, social security benefits for farmers, fishers sought

Farmers and fishers are reported to have the highest poverty incidences among the basic sectors in 2018. (File Photo: Natalia Chernenko/Unsplash)

MANILA – AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee on Friday filed a measure to guarantee farmers and fishers a steady source of income to meet their basic needs once they reach old age and retire through a pension and social security benefit.

The proposal is embodied in House Bill 2420 or the “Agriculture Pension Act” which provides for a “Farmers and Fisherfolks Social Security and Pension Program” aimed at establishing and setting up a pension scheme to lessen agricultural workers’ burden after their retirement.

According to the bill, the pension scheme shall consist of a comprehensive set of objectives, targets, and a holistic approach in the provision of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral benefits to farmers and fisherfolk.

“In the trials that our country has gone through, farmers and fishers continue to work to support their families and ensure adequate food supply in our country. Through this measure, we can concretely show how we seriously value their diligence and sacrifices,” Lee said.

“Sa walang pagod nilang pagkayod, naitataguyod nila hindi lang ang kanilang pamilya, binubuhay din nila ang sektor ng agrikultura at ang buong ekonomiya. Nakakalungkot na kung sino pa ang pinagmumulan ng pagkain natin sa araw-araw, sila pa ang laging kinakapos sa pantustos sa pamilya at nasa dulo ng ating lipunan (Through their tireless work, they provide for their families and give life to the agriculture sector and the economy. It is sad that these people who provide food for us everyday are having difficulties in making ends meet),” Lee added.

Farmers and fishers are reported to have the highest poverty incidences among the basic sectors in 2018. It was also reported that farm workers are being paid an average daily wage of PHP331.10 in 2019, the lowest daily wage as compared to workers in the industry and service sectors.

Amid this appalling situation, Lee underscored the need for the government’s intervention to help and protect agricultural workers from physical and economic risks.

“Hindi po makatarungan na hanggang sa pagtanda ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay nagbabayad pa rin sila ng utang (It is unacceptable that farmers and fisherfolk continue to pay debts even when they are already old). They deserve no less than immediate action to aid them in their plight. Dapat tulungan ang mga tumutulong para winner tayo lahat (We must help those who help us so that we will all be winners),” Lee said.

Under HB 2420, the pension scheme shall be made consistent with the package benefits under the existing social security program of the Social Security System (SSS) and relevant programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

The PCIC, an attached agency of the DA, and the SSS shall be the primary implementing agencies of the provisions of this Act.

The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this measure shall be drawn from the savings of the national government. The funds necessary for the continuous implementation of the program shall then be sourced from 10 percent of the total annual duties collected from the importation of agricultural products. The supplemental amount necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DA.

“As beneficiaries of our farmers and fishers’ immense contributions to our country, it is incumbent upon us to address their present and future needs. Siguruhin po sana natin na sa kanilang pagtanda at pagretiro, pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon ng ipinunla nilang sipag at sakripisyo, ay aanihin nila ang mas maginhawang buhay para sa kanilang pamilya (Let’s ensure that as they get old and retire, they will reap a better life for their families after working hard and making big sacrifices),” Lee said.