CEBU – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said thousands of fishermen in 42 provinces may now avail of free full insurance coverage for their calamity-stricken fishing assets.
The full insurance bundle which covers fishing boats, seaweeds, and aquaculture implements and facilities damaged by calamity will be provided for by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, an agency of the Department of Agriculture.
“This is so far only the initial batch of fisher-folk who would be able to get insurance coverage from the PCIC. We are expecting more to benefit from the insurance once the cross-matching of the two registries is already done,” BFAR Director Asis Perez said.
The PCIC in coordination with BFAR and local governments in provinces, will schedule insurance application dates for the registered fisher-folk. They will then be given a copy of the insurance policy number as a proof of their coverage.
“We can say that we can achieve our goals in providing full subsidized insurance for our fisherfolk. We hope to continue this program in the subsequent years,” PCIC Acting Senior Vice President for Regional Management Group Norman Cajucom said.
He said PCIC allotted a total of P1.184 billion to cover the insurance for farmers and fishermen.
Perez, however, clarified that this is only a parcel of the benefits the government has in store for the sector under the national program for municipal fisher-folk registration.
20