PCIC Readies P127-M Fund for Calamity Stricken Famers

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 14  - The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) in Bikol said some P127 million fund is ready to finance payments to farmers across the country whose agriculture produce have been destroyed in the wake of Ondoy and Pepeng.

The PCIC advisory said it is now working double time to fast track the indemnity payment to farmers whose farm produce were destroyed by the two typhoons that hit the country.

The amount represents the claims or amount covered by farmers who insured their palay and corn crops with the state-run crop insurance firm, said PCIC President Jovy C. Bernabe.

In Bikol, PCIC will pay about P13 million to various farmers hit by the recent natural calamities, according to PCIC OIC regional manager Corazon SM. Realubit.

"Our adjusters are now working double time and have started paying farmer-clients promptly," said Realubit.

She assured farmers who availed of the insurance program that the Corporation has the available funds to pay all their legitimate claims, and would be more than willing to extend help because it is part of its commitment and social responsibility to provide assistance to small and marginalized farmers.

Realubit has encouraged farmers to have their crops, farm animals and other agricultural investments insured with PCIC now because climate change and other natural calamities have made farming riskier than before.

"It's about time our farmers should realize the importance of crop insurance. Without insurance, they have lesser chance to recover and rebuild their farm lands from natural calamities like what we are experiencing now," said Realubit. (PNA)