State-run Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) issued an initial P24.4 million in insurance payments to thousands of farmers in the Bicol region affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine’s devastating floods.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. personally handed out the indemnity checks on Wednesday during a visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Bicol.
“We need to equip our farmers and fisherfolk with financial resources to help them quickly get back on their feet, to recover from this disaster brought about by climate change,” said Tiu Laurel.
Tiu Laurel earlier instructed the PCIC to expedite indemnity payments to assist farmers in recovering swiftly from the disaster caused by Kristine.
The visit intends to assess the typhoon’s impact on local communities and review ongoing government relief and recovery efforts in the hardest-hit provinces.
The DA also provided further assistance, including seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs for affected farmers.
The PCIC distributed checks to 2,644 farmers across Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon, key agricultural provinces in the Bicol Region known for producing rice, corn, vegetables, pili nuts, pineapple, cacao, coconut, livestock and poultry.
PCIC president Jovy Bernabe said the agency would remain supportive of farmers through the insurance protection and financial aid.
He said PCIC is continuing to process claims from affected farmers, with initial assessments suggesting total indemnity payments would reach at least P666.5 million.
