DA: P666.86 million released for 86,066 farmers affected by Kristine

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has released at least P666.86 million to indemnify 86,066 insured farmers affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.

Tiu Laurel cited the report of PCIC president JB Jovy Bernabe who said that the rapid assessment on insured farms affected by Kristine from Oct. 22 to 25 covered 10 regions in the country, with more than half coming from Central Luzon, the Bicol region and Mimaropa.

Bernabe said the insurance payments include P413.5 million for rice, P167.9 million for high-value crops and P27.7 million for fisheries.

“We have set aside an initial amount of P667 million for insurance payments to around 86,066 farmers,” Bernabe said.

The DA operations center said that the damage from Kristine has reached P5.75 billion, with 74 percent or P4.25 billion from rice, P847.48 million from high-value crops and P446.22 million from fisheries.

At the same time, Tiu Laurel asked the PCIC to expedite the processing of insurance claims and to provide all possible assistance to help farmers quickly recover from the disaster.

Tiu Laurel also instructed the PCIC to prepare for potential damage that might be inflicted on the agriculture sector by Super Typhoon Leon.

He added that although the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projected that Leon would not make landfall in any part of the country, the super typhoon’s gale-force winds extended over 600 kilometers from its center, potentially generating storm surges of up to 12 meters high, which may cause significant damage to the farming and fishery sectors.

“The pace of recovery for agriculture after a disaster like this will be determined by how quickly the government can provide inputs and financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk. That is why I have ordered all agencies of the Department of Agriculture, including attached corporations such as the NFA (National Food Authority) and PCIC, to conduct quick needs assessments so that help can be provided immediately,” Tiu Laurel said.

At least two Luzon dams continue to release water, as the