Philippines Pcic Releases Tender

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation PCIC has released approximately P19.6 million worth of indemnities to 1596 farmers in the province of Bukidnon and 67 farmers in Misamis Oriental as of March 20.This was for those farmers whose farms are affected by the dry condition experienced in northern Mindanao.According to PCIC 10 Regional Manager L. Romeo Salting such undertaking is amongst the regions efforts to respond on El Nio phenomenon as most of the payment are for claims filed due to agriculture damaged by the dry season.Farmers who are members of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture RSBSA may file a claim for monetary indemnity for losses incurred due to the effects of El Nio pursuant to the premium subsidy fund from the national government Salting said.PCIC emphasized the importance of crop insurance and the benefits that can be gained out of the program. All they have to do is fill up an application form before they start planting their crops and specify the date they will start planting their expenses the size of the farmland and submit this to the municipal agriculturist of their respective towns. PCIC an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture is mandated to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities plant diseases and pest infestations of their palay and corn crops as well as other crops.Department of Agriculture Region DA Region 10 reported that several farmers have experienced damages on corn rice and vegetable crops due to weak El Nio experienced since February this year.As of March 15 damages in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have reached to P309859634 for corn while P10701710.13 and P6923455.50 for rice and vegetables respectively.However DA said harvested areas were not declared as part of the damage prior to February 20 this year when El Nio was declared.Meanwhile Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration PAGASA said impacts of weak El Nio are becoming severe in March and April 2019.By June 2019 below normal rainfall conditions are expected in most parts of Luzon except the eastern section while most parts of Visayas and Mindanao are expected to have near normal rainfall.