PH Crop Insurance Corp. allocates P251M for Tino-hit farmers' claims

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has allocated P251 million to compensate insured farmers for their losses amid the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi). 

In a report submitted to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., PCIC President Jovy Bernabe said the agency conducted a rapid assessment from November 4 to 7, covering insured farms in nine regions—from Calabarzon and Mimaropa down to Caraga.

The state-run agricultural insurer found out that a total of 32,247 insured farmers were affected by the typhoon.

"The total estimated insurance payment amounts to about P250.6 million," Bernabe said in a press release issued Tuesday.

Bernabe said damages were valued at P56.7 million for rice, P42.3 million for corn, and P74.3 million for high-value crops.

The assessment showed that nearly one-third of the affected farmers, or 10,352 individuals, came from Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), which includes the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte. 

Meanwhile, Bernabe said PCIC staff were ordered to continue assisting affected farmers and to expedite the processing of damage claims. 

Bulk of insured damages—amounting to P169.9 million—were assessed in Central Visayas (Region VII), Negros Island Region, and Eastern Visayas.

The DA assured that the Marcos administration has been doing everything to ease the burden of those victimized by Typhoon Tino. — VDV, GMA Integrated News