Bontoc farmers receive fund assist from PCIC

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay, Bontoc LGU

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twenty-three farmers receive financial assistance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), an attached agency of the Dept. of Agriculture (DA) August 31 here at the Municipal Capitol. 
    According to Municipal PCIC focal person Cheryle Fungo from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg), recipients received assistance from the PCIC for damages of their crops and loss of livestock which they have insured to the PCIC. 
    The Bontoc local government, through the OMAg, was in charge of assisting an applicant in filling-in the application form. 
    The interview, assessment and approval of the insurance assistance of an applicant shall be conducted by the PCIC. 
Of the 23 recipients, 21 have received financial assistance from the damage to their crops while two are for the loss of their livestock.  

The amount they received varied based on what they insured to the PCIC. 

Fungo said the PCIC offers an insurance program for rice, high-value commercial crops, fishers, livestock and non-crop agricultural assets such as equipment and machinery.  

The insurance is an assistance extended to farmers and fisher folks to protect their farms against possible losses due to natural calamities and other forms of agricultural risks such as an attack of pests and diseases. 

She urged farmers and fisher folks to apply for the insurance which was free of charge, adding the insurance claim that an applicant may receive from PCIC was dependent on verification and assessment of the damage/ loss crop or livestock. 

Interested applicants may get a copy of the application form and submit the same at the OMAg with its office located 3rd Floor of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. 

The OMAg may respond to queries of applicants about the program as it has always been a partner of the PCIC in assisting clients with the required documents. 

Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., extended his gratitude to the PCIC saying the assistance it provided to farmers was of great help in their recovery from damage to their crops and losses in livestock. 

The mayor urged farmers and fisher folks to avail of the free insurance being offered by the PCIC especially since the program covers crops and livestock damaged by diseases, pest infestation, and natural calamities, such as typhoons, floods, drought, tornados, and earthquakes.

“We pray we will not be affected by man-made and natural calamities, but should it be inevitable, the insurance program is a big help to farmers and fisherfolks because it guarantees a return on their investment so they can start over again,” Tudlong added.