PCIC releases P20-M relief to Bukidnon, MisOr farmers
THE PHILIPPINE Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has released approximately P19.6 million worth of indemnities to 1,596 farmers in the province of Bukidnon and 67 farmers in Misamis Oriental, as of March 20 who are affected with the dry condition experienced in northern Mindanao.
According to PCIC 10 Regional Manager L. Romeo Salting, such undertaking is amongst the region’s efforts to respond on El Niño phenomenon as most of the payment are for claims filed due to dry condition.
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.
PCIC 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, the size of the farmland and submit this to the municipal agriculturist of their respective towns.
PCIC, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, 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.
Department of Agriculture Region (DA) Region 10 reported that several farmers have experienced damages on corn, rice, and vegetable crops due to weak El Niño experienced since February this year.
As of March 15, damages in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have reached to P309,859,634 for corn while P10,701,710.13 and P6,923,455.50 for rice and vegetables, respectively.
However, DA said harvested areas were not declared as part of the damage prior to February 20 this year when El Niño was declared.
Meanwhile, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said impacts of weak El Niño are becoming severe in March and April 2019.
By June 2019, below normal rainfall conditions are expected in most parts of Luzon (except the eastern section) while most parts of Visayas and Mindanao are expected to have near normal rainfall. (eor/ PIA10)