PCIC speeds up payment to farmers for Typhoon Juaning losses

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), the sole agricultural insurance provider in the country, has committed to speed up payment for crop damages sustained by rice and corn farmers in the wake of Typhoon Juaning last week.

In a report to Agriculture Secretary and PCIC Board Chairperson Proceso J. Alcala, PCIC PresidentJovy C. Bernabe said the firm will pay damage claims by farmers faster than the usual 20-day claim settlement response time.

The shorter payment period will allow rice and corn farmers to recoup their losses and pay for immediate replanting.

According to Atty. Bernabe, some18,443 hectares of farmlands covered by PCIC’s insurance program were damaged by Typhoon Juaning. Of the affected area, 17, 111 has were planted to rice while 1,113 has were corn lands, he added.

The affected farmers numbered 9,929. Of the total, 8,892 are rice farmers while 1,037 are corn farmers.

“We have estimated the total value of crop losses at about P22.844 Million,” Atty. Bernabe said.

The PCIC’s damage assessment report showed that the affected farmlands were located in 18 provinces in six regions.

Region V suffered the most crop damage, estimated at P8.523 Million, P7.770 Million of which in rice. Cam Sur posted the greatest damage in rice crop, at P6.238 Million while Isabela posted the greatest damage in corn, at P2.210 Million.

The other affected areas are: Quirino and Nueva Vizcayain Region II; Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales in Region III; Nueva Ecija and Aurora in Region IIIA; Quezon in Region IV; Albay, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon in Region V; and Bohol, Cebu and Negros in Region VII. These areas suffered heavy rainfall, flooding and strong winds.

The PCIC is a government-owned corporation attached to the DA. Mr.Renato R. Viado, Technical Assistant B, PHILIPPINE CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION (PCIC)