ILOILO City — Thousands of unregistered farmers and fisherfolk in Western Visayas risk missing out on free crop insurance and critical government support, prompting the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) Region 6 to intensify its campaign for mandatory enrollment in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
The agency warned that amid worsening climate threats and economic pressures, failure to register could leave vulnerable agricultural workers without financial protection when disasters strike.
“This is crucial not only for crop insurance but also for accessing various services provided to subsistence farmers,” stressed PCIC-6 regional manager Eva Ulie Laud. “I remind them to register to enjoy the full benefits offered by the agriculture sector. Registration in the RSBSA is coordinated through the Department of Agriculture and Local Government Units (LGUs).”
Laud emphasized that even members of associations must register individually to qualify for benefits.
“This is for individual farmers. Yes, covered man ang association pero dapat individually, maka-register sila sa RSBSA,” she stressed.
The push comes as government data shows that while many farmers and fishers are already listed, gaps remain — particularly among new entrants, including young and first-time farmers — prompting ongoing updating of the national database.
“So far, sa akon personal nga pagtan-aw, halos tanan, aton fishers and farmers, naka-register na… except sa mga new farmers naton, sa mga batan-on, sa mga bag-o ga sululod,” Laud noted, underscoring the need for continuous registration and updating.
Under the program, registered farmers gain access to fully subsidized crop insurance, with premiums paid by the national government through the General Appropriations Act, shielding them from losses caused by typhoons, floods, pests, and diseases.
“Once may damage like bagyo, baha, natural calamities including pests and disease… makadto sila, ma-report sila notice of loss… ang ila pag avail sang crop insurance is free because of the RSBSA program. Si farmer wala na gabayad premium kay ang gobyerno na ang gasagot,” Laud explained.
To avail themselves of the benefit, farmers and fisherfolk must register through their local government units and apply via municipal agriculture offices, where PCIC personnel regularly collect and process applications. Claims are initiated by filing a notice of loss, followed by field validation and compensation based on assessed damage.
Beyond insurance, the RSBSA serves as a gateway to broader government assistance — including access to seeds, fertilizers, loans, and financial aid for farm rehabilitation — making registration a critical step toward long-term agricultural resilience.
“We encourage individual farmers and fisherfolk to register, not just for the insurance but to gain access to all benefits that assist subsistence farmers,” Laud said./PN
