Farmers organizations in Romblon attend training on agri insurance program

Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from eleven (11) ARB organizations (ARBOs) in the province of Romblon attended a comprehensive training on the Agricultural Insurance Program to sustain and protect their crops held at Harbour Chateau, Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon.

OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Camilo Claro M. Pacquing said the knowledge they obtained from the training will greatly help the needs of the ARBs in the protection of their crops.

“Together, we are making strides towards a more sustainable and secure future for our ARBs and ARBOs,” he said.

John David F. Ang, Provincial Coordinator from the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) encouraged all ARBs to enlist themselves under the RSBS, a database system implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enable the farmers, fishermen, and agri-fishery-related services to avail of various government assistance programs.

Among the benefits the ARBs can get when they register under the system are assistance provided by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

PCIC representatives Emmylou T. Pascual and Rose Bell A. Carasco shared invaluable insights that the PCIC provides, including insurance coverage of farmers’ crops damaged by diseases, pest infestation, and natural calamities, such as typhoons, floods, drought, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and climate change.

The insurance coverage is not limited to damaged crops but also the lives of insured farmers and members of their families.

The PCIC has partnered with the DAR and provided a total of P17.1 billion worth of crop insurance protection to ARBs over the next two cropping seasons.

The eleven ARBOs include: the Maghali Auto-Savings Group, Longon-Camili Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Magsupot Traders Association Incorporated, Oswag-Carmen Mabinuligon Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Palate-Maambong Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Villamor Estate Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Agpudlos, Balogo Agrarian Reform Cooperative, JMP Farmers and Fisherfolks Association, and Agra-Progreso Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Magdiwang Agrarian