MANKAYAN, Benguet – In response to the pressing need for a more efficient crop insurance processes to support farmers, an initiative known as the “Badang Kiosk (Kit for insuring our source of food)” Project was introduced to 27 key partners, predominantly comprising women who represent the core stakeholders of this endeavor.
This collaborative attempt transpired on April 25, 2024, in Mankayan, Benguet, through the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera, spearheaded by Cecil B. Capegsan as the Project Leader.
At its essence, the primary objective of this initiative is to gather pertinent insights aimed at establishing streamlined mechanisms to enhance the enrollment and claims processes for crop insurance to enhance the level of crop insurance adoption among farmers in the Province of Benguet.
With the valuable assistance and inputs of Raul Servito, Manager of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) Region 1, the core stakeholders, farmer representatives from different organizations, farmer leaders who are members of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council, and the barangay local government units of Mankayan, collectively tackled the question “What are the ways to improve the crop insurance process?” through brainstorming sessions, discussions, workshops, and presentations.
Moreover, challenges and queries raised during the output presentation were answered and explained by Manager Servito, which served to guide the actualization of the Badang Kiosk. The ideal streamlined crop insurance process as co-created by the core stakeholders was presented by two different workshop groups through a dramatization or skit, which they thoroughly enjoyed preparing for.
The successful collaboration of this initiative was made possible through the facilitation of the Municipal Agriculture Office headed by Maribel Pinas, with participation from Marcial Lloyd Bayangan of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, and the support of PCIC Benguet field staff, Ms. Cresta Bolinao.
Schedules for the implementation and pilot testing of the co-created streamlined process will be finalized by farmer representatives in collaboration with PCIC, following extensive consultations with their constituents. By Leny D. Mendoza