The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) facilitated an orientation workshop for the agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) from the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands to strengthen their access to crop insurance and equip them to become authorized underwriters of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). 

The event gathered representatives from three ARBOs, namely, Esperanza Multipurpose Cooperative (CAME MPC) from Barangay Esperanza in Loreto, Dinagat Islands, Tigbaon Agong-ongan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (TIAFACO) from Barangay Roxas, Mainit, Surigao Del Norte, and Nuevo Campo Community Agrarian Reform Cooperative (NUCARCO) from Barangay Nuevo Campo, San Benito in Surigao Del Norte.

For the PCIC, the engagement served as a fulfillment of its mandate to provide insurance protection to the country’s agricultural producers, particularly the subsistence farmers, against loss of their crop and non-crop agricultural assets on account of natural calamities such as typhoons, floods, droughts, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, plant pests and diseases, or other perils.

The activity, held on April 13 in Surigao City, also highlighted the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PCIC and participating ARBOs, marking a significant step toward expanding access to agricultural insurance services for farmer-beneficiaries.

It served as a formal commitment among PCIC, DAR, and the participating ARBOs to promote a wider insurance coverage and strengthen the resilience of farming communities. The partnership is expected to improve the delivery of insurance services and ensure that more farmers benefit from timely and accessible protection for their agricultural investments.

“This is a very successful event participated in by three ARBOs. Smooth sailing and fulfilling that we can deliver our objective, allowing the ARBOs to explore more opportunities for assistance,” said Agrarian Reform Officer II Grace Manubag, chief of the Enterprise Development and Economic Support (EDES) Section of DAR in Surigao del Norte.

Tatay Ciano, one of the participants, said, “This orientation has provided us with more than just information; it has given us security and the peace of mind to continue our hard work despite the threats of climate change and natural calamities. We appreciate the clear explanation of the enrollment process and the coverage benefits of PCIC that will protect our livelihood.” 

“We look forward to the unwavering support of DAR and PCIC, and we will work hard toward a more sustainable and climate-smart agriculture sector,” he added. 

Through initiatives such as this, DAR remains steadfast in its mission to support ARBO’s development, enhance farmers’ resilience, and promote sustainable agricultural growth in agrarian communities.

Source - https://pia.gov.ph