The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), the government’s agricultural insurance provider, has set aside some P622 Million to indemnify losses suffered by insured farmers in Luzon in the wake of the successive onslaught of Typhoons Karen and Lawin over the last two weeks.
Typhoon Karen buffeted the country on October 15-16 while Typhoon Lawin, which was the most destructive typhoon to occur this year, struck October 19-20. The twin weather disturbances affected farms in the entire Luzon region.
In a report to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, PCIC President Jovy C. Bernabe reported that a quick assessment of the post-typhoon situation showed that 103,338 hectares operated by 81,700 farmers were damaged.
The report also said that the rice sector suffered the most, accounting for about 77% of the total number of farmers and size of farms affected. Corn accounted for about 15% of farmers and 13% of farms, while high-value crops (HVC) accounted for over 7% of farmers and around 9% of the farms.
Accordingly, Bernabe said, rice accounted for 85.78%, or P533.26 Million of the indemnity allocation; corn, 1.86% or P11.55 Million; and HVC, 12.36% or P76.82 Million.
A detailed accounting of the PCIC field reports of the damages showed that Region II suffered the most damage in peso terms at P198.81 Million, followed by Central Luzon (Region III), P154.35 Million; and Ilocos Region (Region I), P90.82 Million. The Cordillera Administrative Region suffered damages amounting to around P58.18 Million.
Piñol has directed the PCIC to assist the affected farmers and hasten the processing of damage claims in less than the 20-day regulation period. # Source - (DA-PCIC)/www.da.gov.ph
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