More than 3,300 rice and corn farmers in this component city received over ₱11.6 million in crop insurance payouts this week. The state-owned Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is fast-tracking financial relief for farmers battered by recent typhoons and flooding.

PCIC released a total of ₱11,605,468.08 in indemnity checks to 3,373 insured farmers on December 16, following damage assessments conducted after recent weather disturbances severely affected farmlands in Passi City. The checks were distributed in 16 batches to ensure an orderly and efficient release.

The payout was facilitated by personnel from the PCIC Provincial Extension Office in Iloilo, with assistance from the regional office, in coordination with the Passi City Agriculture Office, which helped validate reported crop losses.

Insurance Underwriter Jose Gamarcha thanked farmers for their continued trust in the government insurance program, stressing that payouts are guaranteed when damage claims are properly verified.

“Madamo gid nga salamat sa aton nga mangunguma kay gin kilala gid nila si PCIC. Ang PCIC magabayad kung may matuod-tuod gid nga damage ang aton farmers,” Gamarcha said.

Hannah Adeja, head of PCIC’s Iloilo Provincial Extension Office, said the agency remains committed to assisting farmers across Western Visayas, especially as climate-related disasters become more frequent.

“Sa mga masunod nga tuig, magapadayon gid ang PCIC sa pag-akomodar sa aton nga mangunguma indi lamang diri sa Passi kundi sa bilog nga Pilipinas, especially sa Region 6,” Adeja said.

Adeja also encouraged sugarcane farmers to enroll in crop insurance for the 2026 planting season and acknowledged the support of the Department of Agriculture and Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares.

For beneficiaries, the indemnity checks are expected to help restart farm operations. Farmer Lerma Arenga said the assistance will allow her to recover from typhoon damage and reinvest in her farm.

“Ang akon talamnan na igo ka bagyo… dako gid ang bulig sang amon nabaton sa pagbakal sang mga abono,” Arenga said, adding that the claims process was smooth and timely.

PCIC officials said the latest payout highlights the role of crop insurance in strengthening farm recovery and resilience, particularly in disaster-prone areas like Western Visayas.

Source - https://www.panaynews.net