BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) is encouraging the farmers and fisherfolks to apply for the free crop, livestock, and non-crop agricultural assets insurance of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
The PCIC, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) offers an insurance program for rice, high-value commercial crops, fisheries, livestock and non-crop agricultural assets such as equipment and machinery. The insurance is an assistance extended to farmers and fisherfolks to protect their farms against possible losses due to natural calamities and other forms of agricultural risks such as attacks of pests and diseases.
Municipal Agriculturist Renato Falag-ey made this announcement during the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting held in Barangay Alab Oriente, Bontoc, Mountain Province on February 21, 2024, as he solicited the assistance of the barangay officials to relay the information to their respective villagers.
He explained that the insurance application is free of charge and the insurance claim that an applicant may receive from the PCIC is dependent on the verification and assessment of the damage/loss of crops or livestock.
An applicant may get a copy of the application form and submit the same at the OMAg located at the 4th Floor of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. The OMAg shall submit the consolidated application forms at PCIC-Satellite located at Sac-angan, Barangay Caluttit, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
Falag-ey clarified that their office is only in charge of assisting an applicant to fill-in the application form; the interview, assessment and approval of the insurance assistance of an applicant shall be conducted by the PCIC.
The requirements for rice application for insurance include an Application Form which should be just after planting to seven days, one valid ID, and a duly accomplished application form.
The needed documents for application for livestock insurance for goats, cattle and carabao include a printed recent picture of the animal, one valid ID, and a duly accomplished indemnity Application Form.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., who also chairs the MPOC, is encouraging the farmers and fisherfolks to avail of the free insurance being offered by the PCIC especially since the program covers farmers’ crops and livestock damaged by diseases, pest infestation, and natural calamities, such as typhoons, floods, drought, tornados, and earthquakes.
“We pray that we will not be affected by man-made and natural calamities, but should it be inevitable, the insurance program is a big help to farmers and fisherfolks because it guarantees a return on their investment so they can start over again,” Tudlong added.
Records from the OMAg show that 620 farmers insured their crops and livestock for the year 2023. Of the said number, 61 farmers received their indemnity cheques from PCIC for Fiscal Year 2023. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
