MANKAYAN, Benguet – In a significant step towards enhancing the resilience of Benguet farmers against agricultural risks, the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture continues to initiate the “Badang Kiosk: Kit for Insuring Our Source of Food” Project. Following its introduction last month, a pilot testing and survey were being conducted in the municipality of Mankayan, Benguet.
This Badang Kiosk that was held in barangay Balili on May 27, 2024 is the second in a series, the first one was conducted in barangay Palasaan on May 10, 2024.
Led by Cecil B. Capegsan, Project Leader, the initiative aimed to gather crucial insights from farmers regarding their awareness of crop insurance, enrollment processes, encountered challenges, and suggestions for improvement.
The activity was anchored by the workshop and consultation involving the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council on April 2024, the consensus emerged to pilot test the streamlined insurance enrollment process in the field.
The logistical obstacles preventing farmers from participating in insurance programs were one of the workshop’s key findings. In particular, the distance between farmers’ homes and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) office was a major factor. To address this, a solution that minimizes farmers’ travel expenses is suggested, which is an on-site insurance application session that are adapted to community schedules.
Moreover, to expedite the validation process, it was unanimously agreed upon that a cooperative adjuster would be designated from farmer organizations, providing an efficient alternative when PCIC validators are unavailable.
The successful collaboration of this initiative was made possible through the facilitation of the Municipal Agriculture Office headed by Maribel Pinas, and the support of PCIC Benguet field staff, Cresta Urban and Freddie Diclas.
Additional timelines for the co-created streamlined process’s implementation and pilot testing will be scheduled in collaboration with PCIC. By Leny D. Mendoza
