The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) on Friday said it is preparing PHP36 million in insurance payouts for 5,005 farmers whose farmlands were damaged by tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat) from Aug. 1 to 11.
In his initial report to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., PCIC President Jovy Bernabe said the state crop insurer had mobilized its regional offices to validate losses and speed up claims processing.
Initial estimates put insured damage at PHP35.67 million across six regions. Central Luzon had the most affected farmers, with 1,836, followed by the Ilocos Region with 1,218, and Mimaropa with 836.
The Ilocos Region recorded the largest estimated insured damage at PHP9.89 million, followed by Central Luzon at PHP8.80 million, and Mimaropa at PHP7.56 million.
Calabarzon recorded PHP5.04 million in estimated damage, Cagayan Valley reported PHP3.47 million and Western Visayas reported PHP0.92 million.
Rice accounted for the largest share of insured losses at PHP25.60 million, while corn damage was estimated at PHP3.55 million, and high-value crops at PHP3.73 million.
Tiu Laurel said government assistance must reach farmers and fisherfolk quickly after disasters to prevent temporary losses from becoming long-term livelihood setbacks.
“We need to respond immediately to the needs of our farmers and fisherfolk after every calamity so they can recover quickly and sustain their livelihoods,” Tiu Laurel said.
He noted that timely assistance is particularly important for farmers who depend on each production cycle to generate income and finance the next crop.
Meanwhile, Bernabe said the PCIC is strengthening its response to get affected farmers back on their feet as quickly as possible, adding that the agency is leveraging new technologies to accelerate damage assessment.
“We are stepping up our efforts to assess damage, process claims, and deliver insurance assistance faster so our farmers can get back on their feet and return to production,” Bernabe said.
The PCIC has directed its regional offices to continue supporting affected farmers and expedite the processing of legitimate claims.
The initial figures may still change as field validation continues, but they underscore the importance of crop insurance in providing financial protection when extreme weather disrupts farm operations.
Bernabe reminded that farmers and fisherfolk registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture may avail themselves of premium-free crop insurance from the PCIC, provided they enroll with the insurer every planting season or when raising new livestock.
He added that farm equipment and other agricultural assets may also be covered by insurance. (PNA)
