State crop insurer releases indemnity claims to 57 rice farmers in Tubajon, Dinagat Islands
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) recently released the total amount of P194,240.70 in indemnity claims to 57 rice farmers in the town of Tubajon, Province of Dinagat Islands, who suffered income loss due to calamities.
In partnership with the local government of Tubajon through the Municipal Agriculture Office, the PCIC, through the Agricultural Insurance Program, distributed the amount.
The initiative ensures that the agricultural sector of the town remains resilient and sustainable through the provision of insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, pest infestations, and diseases of their crops, livestock, fisheries/aquaculture, and non-crop agricultural assets.
Matt Ernest T. Badilla of PCIC said the program is an intervention measure designed to protect the investments made by subsistence farmers and fisherfolk in agricultural production. Target farmers and fisherfolk are those listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture or RSBSA.
Tubajon Mayor Fely Palabrica said, “Kini nga programa usa ka pagtabang ug pagsalig sa atong mga mag-uuma nga adunay kompensasyon kung nay kalamidad o pagkawala sa ani. (This program is a form of assistance and assurance to our farmers that there is compensation if their harvest is affected by calamities).”
“Padayon ang suporta sa local nga panggamhanan sa Tubajon ug sa PCIC aron masiguro nga protektado ug mas-ligon ang panginabuhian sa atong mag-uuma. (The local government of Tubajon and the PCIC continue to support our farmers to ensure they are protected and their livelihood is sustainable),” Palabrica added.
“This is a true example of unity and collaboration to achieve food security in our town,” the mayor said.
Susan, one of the beneficiaries who received the indemnity claim on Oct. 22, thanked PCIC and the LGU for taking good care of the farmers and fisherfolk, especially during challenging times. “This is a testament that we have a caring government. Thank you for not leaving us behind. This assistance is a big help for us to recover from the losses in our rice farm.”
The PCIC is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1467 (June 11, 1978), later on amended by Presidential Decree No. 1733 (Oct. 21, 1980), and further amended by Republic Act No. 8175 (Dec. 29, 1995), as the implementing agency of the government’s agricultural insurance program. It currently operates under the supervision of, and as an attached agency to, the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Aside from rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture, the state crop insurer also protects against damage to/loss of non-crop agricultural assets, including machinery, equipment, transport facilities, and other related infrastructures. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from MIO Tubajon)
