THE Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has cited the importance and need for insurance in the agriculture sector through the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
In a statement, PCIC Regional Office 3A officer in charge Gerlie Gregorio said insurance in agricultural activities affords farmers to avail of benefits during calamities or infestation that spoil their crops.
"Up to three hectares of farmland per household can be included in free insurance under the RSBSA with P20,000 maximum coverage per hectare," explained Gregorio.
She added that farmers must personally register applications for the insurance of their farmlands, preferably before planting period, either at the PCIC office or Municipal or City Agriculture Office.
"Farmers must submit an application within 30 days if they have already started planting," said Gregorio.
Other RSBSA benefits include support for palay (unmilled rice), corn, high-value crops, livestock and fisheries, as well as credit and life term insurance.
Eduardo Rivera, a farmer, said the insurance program they receive from PCIC provides substantial assistance in their sector.
"Kapag nasisiraan kami ng tanim ay kahit papaano, kahit na P7,000 lang sa isang ektarya, ay malaking bagay na po sa aming magsasaka (When our crops are spoiled or destroyed, even with P7,000 per hectare, is of big help to us)," he said.
From January to October this year, PCIC has distributed P49.6 million worth of indemnity checks to at least 4,000 farmers in Nueva Ecija, the country's "rice granary."
Source - Manila Times
