The Department of Agrarian Reform, in partnership with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, distributed indemnity checks totalling toP20.59-M to 1,596 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Region 02 for crops damaged by drought and typhoon Labuyowhich disrupted agricultural production during the first cropping season.

The indemnities were claimed by the beneficiaries who earlier received Certificates of Insurance Coverage (CIC) that guaranteed that their crops are insured against the calamities and pests.

DAR began this year the enrolment of the 22,000 farmer beneficiaries into its growing Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries – Agricultural Insurance Program (ARB-AIP) which grants free insurance exclusively to the ARBs.

Four hundred forty-nine (449) farmers in Cagayan received checks amounting to about P5.3-M. 551 farmers in Isabela claimed checks to more than P4.7-M in sum. In Nueva Vizcaya, 65 farmers declared damages and were able to claim a total of more than P0.4-M in checks. And in Quirino, 531 farmers claimed a sum of more than P9.3-M worth of checks.

Farmers’ Ally

The PCIC and several partner LGUs distributed the checks hand-in-hand with DAR as its co-implementers of the program.

During the distribution of the indemnities, DAR and its partners promoted the free crop insurance as the ‘farmers’ ally’ against unpredictableweather conditions as a result of climate change.

Calamity reduces profit for farmers due to devastated crops, while it usually doubles the labour costs as bent crops are harder to harvest.

Continuity of Agricultural Production

PCIC representative Mr.Ben Taguibaoreminded the ARBs that the indemnity proceeds are to serve as capital for the next cropping season for the continuity of agricultural production.

Mary Anne Torcelino, an ARB from Echague, Isabela, observes that calamities are more frequent in the past two years.

Drought hasaffected the quality of Torcelino’s corn produce which were sold at a much lower price in the market. Her expected P200,000 profit fell to only about P60,000.

After her crops were assessed, she was able to claim P21,850. According to her, prior to the free insurance program of DAR, debt usually awaits them with such loss.

Torcelino admits that crop insurance is relatively new to her and approves of the program’s continuity. Torcelino intends to purchase fertilizer and seeds from the indemnity proceeds.

DAR Regional Director Marjorie P. Ayson says that the program was originally intended to require premiums from the farmers. However, the Department contemplated on the ability and willingness of the farmers to sustain the insurance on their own.

RD Ayson encouraged the beneficiaries to disseminate information on the program. The goal of DAR in the succeeding months, according to her, is to increase the enroleeswho will benefit in this benevolent program of the government.