Some 1,400 farmers and fishers from Currimao, Ilocos Norte are targeted for the first-ever life insurance coverage program of the municipal government in collaboration with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).

Under the Agricultural Producers Protection Plan (AP3) of the PCIC, insured beneficiaries are entitled to a maximum of PHP50,000 coverage in case of death due to accident, natural causes and murder or assault, with a one-year validity.

Currimao municipal agriculturist engineer Erickson Biag told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that they are now accepting applications for the second batch of registered farmers and their beneficiaries.

“We have allotted PHP200,000 from our office MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses) for the payment of life insurance premiums to all farmers and fisherfolk in the municipality registered to the RSBSA (Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture), including immediate family of (those) registered as animal raiser or farm worker,” he said.

Biag said the program is one of the proactive measures of the municipal government aimed to protect food producers who are also vulnerable to both natural and man-made hazards.

Interested applicants are encouraged to fill up their forms and bring their farmers’ identification cards (ID) and a government-issued ID to the Municipal Agriculture Office not later than Nov. 29, 2024.

The program is on top of the insurance program for crops, fish harvest, and livestock, Biag said.

Ilocos Norte registered an estimated PHP30 million initial agricultural damage due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) that affected several parts of the country last week.

“We are grateful for the free insurance coverage sponsored by the government. It is a big help for us in case of emergency,” said Agnes Asuncion, a farmer from Currimao town. (PNA)