Cebu Province insures farmers and fishermen

CEBU, Philippines - More than a thousand farmers and fishermen from 12 towns in northern Cebu received their certificates of insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation whose premiums are paid by the Province of Cebu.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and PCIC President Jovy Bernabe led the distribution held at the San Remegio Sports Complex and attended by fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Department of Agriculture 7 Director Leo Cañeda, mayors and other local officials.

The first batch who received their certificates of insurance were from the municipalities of Balamban, Asturias, Tabuelan, San Remegio, Medellin, Bantayan, Santa Fe, Madridejos, Daanbantayan, Borbon, Tabogon and Sogod.

At P35 per farmer or fisherman, they already have an insurance coverage of P50,000 plus P5,000 medical and burial assistance from PCIC. Livestock and other agricultural products also have a corresponding amount of premiums paid by the Province.

Bernabe said the undertaking is the first in the entire country where the provincial government insured farmers and fishermen as well as their products and livestock.

He hopes it will be replicated in other provinces in the country.

Bernabe committed to process the claims within 15 to 20 days.

Cañeda on the other hand, said there really is a need to insure farmers and fishermen considering the risk on their lives.

The Province is targeting around 35,000 farmers and fishermen to be covered with insurance within this year.

In her speech, Garcia said farmers and fishermen in first world countries devastated by calamities were all insured by the government.

“Cebu deserves first world services,” Garcia said.

Garcia is encouraging more organized farmers and fishermen to be covered by the insurance.

“This is a ground breaking program, has never been tried before that a province would insure all of its farmers and fisherfolks and livestock raisers nga ang probinsiya gyud ang mo insure para nila,” Garcia told reporters.

Last month, the Provincial government entered into a memorandum of agreement with PCIC for the insurance where the province is given the lowered rate of premiums and the concerned local government unit shall contribute 10 percent as payment for the premiums.

The Capitol and PCIC developed a comprehensive package for farmers and fisherfolk who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

The insurance policy will not only cover the usual crop and livestock, but will also include high-value crops, fishponds and fish cages locally known as bubo. (FREEMAN)