DA offers personal accident coverage to Kalinga farmers

TABUK CITY – The Department of Agriculture, through Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, is now offering personal accident insurance to Kalinga farmers.

Joe Casibang of Office of Provincial Agriculturist said accident protection is an optional component offered to farmers who availed of crop insurance.

PCIC has set P15 million for crop insurance of farmers in the province for this year that also included fund for personal accident insurance.

Under the program, PCIC charges discounted premium rate of P100, instead of the regular P200 per farmer for a P50,000 personal accident coverage that includes dismemberment and medical expenses, Casibang said.

For expanded protection, the accident insurance also covers accidents that are not work-related, giving full protection to beneficiaries.

As term insurance, the accident coverage takes effect only for a period of one year but good enough to protect small farmers, who scamper for financial help when need arises, Casibang noted.

“While we provide insurance to the crop, why not also to the farmer,” Casibang said about the rationale of the program.

The benefit is offered to individual farmer or organizations who apply through the municipal agriculture offices. – Larry Lopez