The government-owned Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) called on farmers and fishermen in Palawan to enroll in the government’s agricultural insurance.
PCIC board member Arnold B. Colama said there are farmers and fishermen who are not yet aware of their agricultural programs.
“Dito sa Palawan, marami pang farmers ang ‘di nakakaalam ng programa na ‘yan, as what I’ve said, it was created in 1981. Pero ngayon na may P3.5 billion na binigay ang president kaya may mga libreng premium para sa mga farmer at sa mga mangingisda. Lahat-lahat ng kanilang mga pananim ay ipapa-ensure lang nila,” Colama said.
(Here in Palawan, there are still farmers and fishermen who do not know our programs, and as what I’ve said, it was created in 1981. But now that P3.5 billion was given by the president, there is a free premium for the farmers and fishermen. All they have to do is ensure their crops.)
Speaking before the participants in their orientation activity, Colama said government-owned and controlled corporation aims to provide agricultural insurance protection to farmers and fishermen who might suffer loses due to natural calamities, plant diseases and pest infestations of their palay and corn crops, other crops,
Farmers with three hectares are qualified, he said while fishermen is limited to just three tons in the municipal water.
“Kapag may nangyayari sa kanilang mga bangka, sa kanilang mga gamit pangisda, may matatanggap din sila kapag na-damage ng calamity. Sa isang hektarya na mada-damage, may P20,000 yan pero yon ay pang-start lang,” he added.
(If something happens to their boats, in their fishing implements and devices, they can receive when they sustain damages from calamities. In one hectare of farmland that will be damaged, that’s P20,000 and it’s just the start.)
He said the financial assistance will enable the beneficiaries not to rely on loan sharks offering the “5-6 lending scheme.”
Fishermen may receive P40,000 in assistance depending on the size of their boats, he also said.
He said that PCIC has agents who will adjust the insurance claims to be received depending on the damage incurred.
This also applies to animals used for agricultural livelihood as owners can register their animals with the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“Kapag namatay ‘yan sa sakit o kalamidad, may makukuha silang pera. Kunyare mga baboy, may P8,000 doon sa mga fattening lang o patabain lang at P12, 000 para doon sa mga inahin. Sa kalabaw, baka ay may P15,000 dyan kapag namatay ‘yan. Pero kailangan registered ‘yan,” he said’.
(If they die due to calamity or illness, they can get money from the insurance. For example, if they have hogs, there’s P8,000 in fattening and P12,000 for the breeder. In carabaos or cattle, there’s P15,000 if they die. But they have to be registered.)
Colama called on farmers to register their animals with their office.
He said technicians can visit the applicants to confirm their registrations and the barangays can also certify them.
However, only pigs, goats, cows, carabaos, duck, horses and sheep are covered by the PCIC insurance.
He added that animal owners are only limited to register 15 heads of pigs, 25 heads of goats and 10 heads of cows and carabaos.
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