Pension, insurance for vulnerable farmers pressed
A measure that seeks to grant regular pension and insurance coverage to elderly, disabled,and indigent farmers not covered by existing retirement systems is being pushed in the House of Representatives.
House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairman Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre stressed that farmers who have spent their lives feeding the nation should not be left without support in old age.
Acidre, also author of House Bill 7663, said the proposal seeks to ensure that farmers outside the Social Security System and Government Service and Insurance System safety nets receive direct government assistance and are prioritized in social welfare programming.
“Filipino farmers remain among the poorest and most vulnerable sectors in the country despite being at the forefront of food production. Many elderly farmers have no access to pension systems such as SSS or GSIS and face increasing healthcare and subsistence needs in their senior years,” Acidre said.
“The proposed measure seeks to correct this long-standing gap by institutionalizing a dedicated social protection system for qualified farmers,” he added.
Filed by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the bill proposes a P3,000 monthly pension and insurance benefits for qualified beneficiaries.
Romualdez said: “The creation of a pension program for qualified elderly farmers is crucial for providing financial security, reducing poverty and ensuring a decent standard of living in their later years, as they are often considered among the poorest in society with limited access to formal, consistent income.”
“Because many farmers face low, variable incomes and often work past traditional retirement age due to financial necessity, pensions offer a guaranteed, regular income source, reducing their dependence on family members or the need to sell off assets to cover living expenses,” Romualdez added.
Acidre underscored that the urgency of the bill is rooted in the lived realities of farmers.
“Well, simple lang po. Sa una po, isa sa pinakamahirap at pinaka-nangangailangan na sektor ng ating lipunan ang mga magsasaka. Siguro alam naman natin itong lahat. Hindi po natin puwedeng hayaan na sila po ang nangunguna sa pagbibigay, paghahanap o pagtatanim ng ating pagkain, pero tuwing nangangailangan sila ay sila pa ang nahuhuli. Sila pa ang nakakaranas ng gutom,” Acidre said.
Acidre pointed to the aging population in the countryside.
“Pangalawa, nakikita din natin ang pangangailangan ng batas na ito dahil sa tumatandang edad ng ating mga magsasaka. Nakikita natin ang kanilang growing needs, lalo na sa healthcare at sa pang-araw-araw nila. Malaking bagay na pagtuunan natin ng pondo at atensyon ang pangangalaga sa ating mga magsasaka, lalo na sa kanilang senior years,” he added.
Acidre explained the eligibility requirements.
“Ang basic qualification po natin para maging qualified sa panukala ay dapat 60 years old and above, hindi tumatanggap ng anumang pension mula sa SSS, GSIS o pribadong retirement system,” Acidre said.
“Tinatawag naman nating disabled kung may kapansanan na mental, medical o physical impairment, o incapacitated na hindi na nila kayang magsaka,” he added.
Beyond the monthly pension, the proposal includes additional protection.
“Meron tayong life insurance. May basic life coverage na P50,000. May accident at disability assistance up to P25,000 per claim. Sinusubukan natin, base sa dami ng farmers at kakayahan ng gobyerno, na maibigay ito at maisama sa pambansang budget,” Acidre said.
He emphasized that the measure is meant to build a stable system, not a temporary dole-out.
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