Central Visayas, September 4 (PIA) --- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC-7) is now implementing the “Free Crop Insurance Schemes” or the productivity enhancing interventions for farmers, fisherfolks, and other agricultural stakeholders.
This is apart from the Integrated Farming Systems Development Program in which the Cebu Provincial Government commits to shoulder 100% of the farmers’ premium share.
In a press release to PIA, PCIC-7 also clarified that Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) who obtained loans from Land Bank of the Philippines are also entitled to avail free insurance coverage of their agri-projects including Loan Repayment Protection Plan or loan under the Agrarian Productivity Credit Program (APCP).
PCIC-7 said that farmers and fisherfolks in Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) identified 16 Yolanda-hit LGUs of northern Cebu can also avail free agricultural insurance for their rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, agri-asset and fishery projects including accient insurance for the life and limbs of the assured farmers or fisherfolks.
Marginal farmers and fisherfolks not residing in Northern Cebu can also enroll of free agri-fishery insurance program provided that they are included in the list of Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
In the cities and municipalities of Cebu there are 171, 181 beneficiaries listed under RSBA this include: Alcantara (3, 797), Alcoy (3, 422), Alegria (4, 241), Aloguinsan (6,674), Argao (12,444), Asturias (7, 987), Badian (10, 873), Balamban (10, 275), Barili (13, 115), Boljoon (3,312), Carcar City (14, 436), Carmen (3,401), Catmon (7, 384), Cebu City (18, 015), Compostela (4, 452), Consolacion (7, 632), Cordova (5, 697), Dalaguete (11, 910), Danao City (6, 500), Dumanjug (14, 165) and Ginatilan (4, 349).
The province of Bohol also has 251, 839 while Siquijor province has 20, 106 farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries to avail of free insurance schemes under RSBSA.
PCIC-7 said the objective of the program is to provide protection to the agricultural stakeholders and their farm investments in case of crop losses and in to ensure inclusive growth.
PCIC-7 added that the program also intends to cushion the impact of climate change as agri-business is always considered as a risky venture because of its large dependency on nature.
To avail of the programs, farmers and fisherfolks are encouraged to visit their Municipal/City Agriculturist, Agricultural Technologist, Barangay Council or Farmers’ Organizations in their respective areas. (mbcn/ays/PIA7/with reports from DA-PCIC 7)