The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) urged farmers of the province to avail of the free crop insurance benefits before the year ends as funds are still available. PCIC Regional Manager Florentina Pugal extended the invitation to farmers during the Farmer’s Event in the recently concluded Adivay Festival. PCIC is the country’s sole crop insurance provider. It is mandated to provide insurance protection to qualified farmers and other agricultural stakeholders against losses of their crops and produce, including their farm machineries and equipment, transport facilities and related infrastructure arising from natural calamities, pests and diseases, and other perils beyond their effective control. The PCIC office is based in Urdaneta, Pangasinan but they established an extension office in Bekkes, Abatan, Buguias to cater to farmers in the province, Pugal informed. Based on the figures provided by PCIC Marketing and Sales Division Chief Raul Servito, A total of 1,180 farmers availed of free insurance services of the PCIC. The amount of P12.397 million has not been utilized for 2016. Farmers who   availed of the free insurance are those engaged in crops such as high value commercial crops which compose majority of farmers while some are palay and corn producers. There were also those engaged in livestock and fisheries and those with non-crop implements insurance such as farm machineries, equipment and transport facilities. Only 54 insured farmers affecting their high value commercial crops were able to claim for indemnity with an aggregate amount of P1.035 million damaging their crops during the onslaught of past typhoons. Pugal said those interested to avail of the free crop insurance benefits should apply first before planting. They may seek the help of their respective Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in their towns for assistance. The required documents for such crops are accomplished application form for insurance, parcellary or location map, list of growers if applicable and other documents that may be required by PCIC. Source - http://news.pia.gov.ph