MANILA – Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid is proposing the establishment of an Agricultural Pension Fund (APF) in a move to provide pension benefits to agricultural workers such as farmers and fisherfolk.
In filing Senate Bill No. 2335, Lapid said farmers and fisherfolk should be given pension benefits due to their contribution not only in providing food for Filipinos but also in contributing to the economy.
“Dahil sa laki ng kontribusyon ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa ating bayan, dapat lang na bigyan sila ng benepisyo gaya ng pension para matiyak na matutugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan sa pahanon na magretiro na sila.” Lapid said in a statement.Under the measure, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), shall create a plan for agricultural pensioners and manage and invest the APF to ensure its sustainability.
The PCIC shall also determine the criteria for eligibility, in coordination with relevant government agencies.
“Sa gitna ng mga pagsubok na pinagdaanan ng ating bansa, patuloy silang kumakayod para maitaguyod ang kanilang mga pamilya at masigurong sapat ang supply ng pagkain sa ating bansa,” Lapid said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, hangad ko na mabigyan sila ng pension sa panahong magreretiro at mapagpahinga na sila mula sa trabaho. Sa panahong iyon, gusto kong magkaroon ng sapat na pondong maibibigay sa kanila para matustusan din ang kanilang pangangailangan,” the senator added.(©Philippine Daily Inquirer 2021)
