PCIC releases P20 million indemnities to farmers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) said it has released some P19.6 million worth of indemnities to 1,596 farmers in the province of Bukidnon, and 67 farmers in Misamis Oriental who were affected by the dry spell.

Lurther Romeo Salting, PCIC regional manager, said the undertaking was a respond to those severely affected by El Niño phenomenon. He said farmers, who are members of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), may file a claim for monetary indemnity for losses incurred due to the effects of El Niño pursuant to the premium subsidy fund from the national government.

He also emphasized the importance of crop insurance and the benefits that can be gained out of the program. “All they have to do is fill up an application form before they start planting their crops, and specify the date they will start planting, their expenses, and the size of the farmland and submit this to the municipal agriculturist of their respective towns,” Salting said.

PCIC is mandated to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, plant diseases and pest infestations of their palay and corn crops as well as other crops. Farmers reported damages on corn, rice, and vegetable crops due to El Niño since February. Damages in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have reached to P309 million for corn while P10 million and P6.9 million for rice and vegetables, respectively. (EOR)

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