ILOILO – Successive typhoons may have battered Western Visayas’ agriculture and fisheries sector, but farmers and fisherfolk are fighting back with a critical lifeline: insurance.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)-Region 6 has already released over P306 million in indemnity claims from January to September 2025, cushioning massive losses in rice, corn, livestock, and fisheries.
PCIC-6 regional manager Eva Ulie Laud said 449,740 agricultural workers across the region are currently insured, with rice farmers making up the biggest group at 204,567.
“Para ma-avail ini nila, makadto sila sa aton municipal agriculture officers… once may damage, ma-report sila notice of loss,” Laud explained.
The bulk of claims came from crop damage (P294 million), while P12 million covered livestock, fisheries, and non-crop assets.
The payouts followed the devastation of typhoons “Marisol”, “Nando”, and “Opong”, which left more than 10,000 rice and corn farmers and over 1,200 fisherfolk filing notices of loss.
To jumpstart recovery, 4,659 checks worth P17 million were distributed between September 30 and October 3, with PCIC promising faster processing through digital payment options like GCash.
Farmers and fishers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) need not pay premiums, as the government shoulders the cost through the General Appropriations Act.
“Libre because of RSBSA… si farmer wala na gabayad premium, kay ang gobyerno na ang gasagot through the GAA (General Appropriations Act) fund for the year 2025,” Laud said.
Coverage depends on sector and extent of damage: rice and corn farmers can claim up to P20,000 per hectare depending on crop stage; livestock requires proof of total loss; and fishing boats are insured up to P40,000 if motorized.
“Ang assessment is depende sa extent sang damage,” Laud stressed, noting claims are consolidated when multiple disasters hit.
Despite the series of calamities, Laud assured that the P590-million allocation for 2025 remains sufficient.
“Gina-try ta gid nga mag-timing na siya (insurance release) for the introduction of the next cropping,” Laud emphasized, underscoring the program’s role in ensuring farm continuity amid worsening climate risks./PN
