SAN FERNANDO CITY — More than 9,000 farmers across Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have received a total of PHP77.8 million in crop insurance payouts, according to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). This compensation comes as part of the government’s efforts to support farmers affected by calamities.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gaudencio Tangalin, the officer-in-charge of the Claims and Adjustment Division of the PCIC, confirmed the disbursement on Friday. Tangalin noted that there has been an increasing number of farmers availing themselves of the government’s insurance program, which is designed to protect their livelihoods during adverse weather conditions. “In time for the typhoon season, we are again conducting training of our force multipliers to speed up the processing of indemnity claims,” he said during a media interview.
For 2024, the PCIC has allocated PHP4.5 billion in funds for insurance coverage nationwide, specifically targeting farmers and fishers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture. Out of this amount, PHP300 million has been set aside for Region 1. The insurance coverage is intended to ensure that farmers can recover their investments in the event of crop damage or livestock illness.
Municipal Agriculturist Erickson Biag of Currimao town highlighted the benefits of the insurance, stating that it guarantees a return on investment for farmers facing crop or livestock losses. He also mentioned that ongoing insurance applications are being processed at the municipal agriculture office with the goal of covering all farmers and fishers in the town.
As of the end of July, 25,241 farmers in Ilocos Norte have been insured, representing about 54.12 percent of the region’s target coverage. Currently, 103,186 farmers and fishers in Region 1 are enrolled in the government’s free agricultural insurance program.
The PCIC provides compensation of up to PHP20,000 per hectare of rice or cornfield, depending on the extent of the damage assessed. Eligible for free insurance are those farming on land of no more than three hectares, fisherfolk with ponds or cages not exceeding 1,000 square meters, and livestock raisers with fewer than 10 cows or carabaos. Additionally, farmers can insure up to three units of machinery, and fishers can insure up to three fishing boats.