During an event in Cabagan, Isabela, where Certificates of Land Ownership and Mortgage Condonation were distributed, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. encouraged local farmers and fisherfolk to protect their livelihoods by signing up for the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation or PCIC programs. These programs aim to help farmers recover from disasters and safeguard their crops.
“Ito pong insurance na ito sa mga pananim o mga kagamitan sa pangingisda ay napakahalaga lalung-lalo na sa mga rehiyon na madalas tamaan ng bagyo o kalamidad,” Marcos explained.
He noted, “Kaya po hinihikayat ko ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na mag-enroll po sa programa na ito, ‘yung Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, upang masiguro po ang proteksyon ng inyong mga kabuhayan laban sa mga sakuna.”
The President highlighted that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding insurance coverage for farmers and fisherfolk to enhance their preparedness and crop protection during disasters.
In addition, he reported that the government provided about P25 million in indemnity cheques to over 1,400 farmers in Mindoro, whose crops were affected by recent typhoons.
The PCIC, which is an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), offers insurance protection to agricultural producers, including farmers, fishermen, and livestock raisers. This coverage helps protect against the loss and damage of crops and other agricultural assets during calamities.
The insurance coverage includes rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, non-crop assets like warehouses and farm machinery, vehicles for agricultural transport, loan payment protection, and life insurance for agricultural producers, as of December 2020.
“Sa kabila ng sunud-sunod na kalamidad, hindi po namin nakakalimutan ang aming prayoridad na maahon sa kahirapan ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating mga magsasaka,” Marcos reassured.
Along with the Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, the President handed over 25,773 certificates of condonation with the release of mortgage to 21,496 agrarian reform beneficiaries, freeing them from a total debt of P1,152,916,073, including amortization, interest, and surcharges.
