Storm-affected farmers to receive financial aid

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers displaced by storms Luis and Maymay as well as the southwest monsoon will receive financial assistance from the government.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said it would roll out P36 million in insurance payouts for local farmers affected by the calamities.

Insured damage to crops and farm machinery was estimated at P35.67 million across six affected regions from Aug. 1 to 11.

Ilocos Region reported the largest insured damage with P9.89 million followed by Central Luzon with P8.80 million and Mimaropa with P7.56 million.

Calabarzon reported P5.04 million in damage to agriculture, while Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas reported P3.47 million and P920,000, respectively.

The bad weather displaced 5,005 farmers including 1,836 in Central Luzon, 1,218 in Ilocos and 836 in Mimaropa.

Among crops, palay accounted for the largest share in insured losses with P25.60 million followed by corn with P3.55 million and high-value crops, P3.73 million.

PCIC president Jovy Bernabe said the state crop insurer has mobilized its regional offices to validate losses and speed up processing of claims.

Farmers and fisherfolk listed in the registry system for basic sectors in agriculture can avail themselves of premium-free crop insurance from the PCIC, provided they enroll with the insurer every planting season or when raising new livestock, Bernabe said.

He said farm equipment and other agricultural assets may also be covered by insurance as the PCIC is strengthening its response to help affected farmers recover quickly.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said that affected farmers and fisherfolk must be immediately provided with financial assistance to prevent temprorary losses from becoming long-term livelihood setbacks.