By Gio J. Tanudtanud
THE PHILIPPINE Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is offering protection programs for farmers and fisherfolk affected by natural calamities in Davao Region.
During the Agribiz Media Forum at SM Lanang on Feb 6, Reynaldo E. Lagdameo, PCIC focal person, said the beneficiaries won’t have to worry about additional expenses since the insurance program will be free.
The program aims to help farmers and fisherfolk recover the cost of the damage they suffered after a calamity. However, they must first be registered in the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
The commodities that will be insured by the program include high-value crops, farm animals, equipment for farming and fishing, and agriculture projects. Farming equipment such as tractors and farming tools and fishing equipment like boats and tools needed for fishing are also insured.
The maximum area insured is three hectares with the minimum of 1/4 hectares. Other remaining hectares will have to be paid.
He also encouraged farmers and fishers to visit their municipal agricultural offices or barangays to get assistance on the process.
“Amo gyud nang gina encourage ang mga farmers na magpa insure gyud kay libre man wala na silay bayaran (We encourage farmers to insure since it’s free),” he said.
Lagdameo said the program insured 98,632 farmers and 115,203 hectares in Region XI in 2023.
The PCIC is under the direct supervision of the Department of Finance to make the crop insurance system more stable and more beneficial to the farmers.
