ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) -- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) distributed a total of P12,887,705.00 to 2,151 affected farmers, fisherfolk, and hog raisers in the province during the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. here on Oct. 6.

“Umpisa pa lamang po ito ng mga hakbangin ng gobyerno na mapaunlad ang buhay ng mga Pilipino mula sa pagpapalakas ng agrikultura (This is just the beginning of the government’s strides in improving the lives of the Filipinos, from developing the agriculture),” President Marcos said, reiterating that each sector of the government should bring the government projects closer to the people. 

The beneficiaries are part of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBA) farmers and fisherfolk who are recipients of the free crop insurance program of the government.

PCIC Regional Manager Eva Laud said that most beneficiaries are typhoon-affected farmers, fisherfolk, and African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected hog raisers. 

“Ang aton libre nga insurance is per cropping para sa mga farmers, pero ang sa aton nga fattening, four months lang na ila coverage para ma dispose na nila ang ila baboy (Our free insurance for farmers is every cropping season. However, for our hog raisers, it is only for four months),” Laud noted.

Roben Solano from Brgy. Libon in Panay town, whose crops were affected by rodents, said that this was his first time receiving insurance from PCIC.

“Ang akon makuha pagagamiton ko sa akon nga uyapad kag ang bilin pabalon sa mga estudyante. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa PCIC kag kay President Marcos sa ila bulig nga ihatag (I am grateful to the PCIC and the President for the financial support. I will use this for my rice field, while the remaining money will go to my children’s school needs),” said Solano.

In 2022, the PCIC Region 6 has insured and provided free crop insurance to 117,130 farmers and fisherfolk. 

While for crop damages, PCIC has indemnified 36,976 farmers and fisherfolk with a total amount of P192.066 million. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)