BACOLOD CITY — The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has proposed a budget of PHP10 million for the insurance premium of farmers in Negros Occidental for 2018.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said over the weekend his office was waiting for the Provincial Board to approve the allocation.
Negros Occidental has been partnering with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) in the implementation of the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP) since 2011.
The insurance initially covered only farms damaged by calamities, such as typhoons and floods. But last December, the PCIC approved the request of Negros Occidental to include farms affected by pest and diseases in the insurance coverage.
Under the modified guidelines, the enrollment premium per cropping season remains at PHP840, but the whole amount will now be shouldered by the provincial government as a loan.
Previously, the province shouldered only PHP500, while the remaining PHP340 was the counterpart of the farmer-enrollees.
For January this year alone, the OPA has recorded about PHP22 million worth of damage to the crop sector due to heavy rains and floods brought by the northeast monsoon and Typhoon Agaton.
Only last Friday, the OPA was validating reports of grain bug infestation in some rice farms in Pontevedra town and La Carlota City.
In November last year, grain bug infestation caused at least PHP8 million in damage to rice plantations in Sipalay City.
Through the NFUCIP, farmers could claim PHP17,000 per hectare of damaged farms. But the OPA said “pioneer” enrollees would be given priority in the full enrollment coverage.
Farmers will pay back the province after receiving their claims.
In 2017, the province’s agricultural crops, particularly rice, have incurred a total damage of at least PHP80 million, mainly attributed to calamities like typhoons and floods, and pest infestation. (PNA)
