Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s renewed push for broader crop insurance coverage, saying it affirms a shared goal to protect Filipino farmers and ensure the country’s food security.
“We are one with the President in putting farmers front and center in our development agenda,” said Romualdez. “His call to expand crop insurance is not just timely—it is necessary. It’s about giving our farmers peace of mind when they plant, and hope when disaster strikes.”
To complement this presidential initiative, Romualdez filed House Bill 14, which aims to strengthen and expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and open the door for greater private sector participation in agricultural insurance.
“This bill is my personal commitment to every farmer who risks everything each planting season. With better insurance, we’re not just protecting crops—we’re protecting lives, dreams, and the future of our food supply,” he said.
Romualdez said the legislation reflects the same urgency and compassion shown by President Marcos during his recent meeting with farmers in Nueva Ecija, where the Chief Executive announced wider, more affordable coverage under the Department of Agriculture.
“President Marcos understands that farming today means confronting floods, droughts, and typhoons—and farmers cannot face these battles alone. Our job in Congress is to make sure the support system is strong, fair, and responsive,” the seasoned legislator said.
Under HB 14—co-authored with Tingog Party-list Reps. Jude Acidre and Andrew Julian Romualdez—the PCIC’s coverage will extend beyond traditional crops like rice and corn to include high-value commodities, livestock, aquaculture, farm machinery, and even post-harvest infrastructure.
Romualdez said this reform will especially benefit small farmers who often skip insurance because of poor awareness, red tape, or weak payouts. “They take all the risks, and when nature hits hard, they’re left with nothing. That has to change.”
He cited global data from the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) showing that over 2.4 million Filipino rice farmers remain vulnerable to climate shocks but lack access to meaningful insurance protection.
“This bill is not just policy—it’s a promise to our farmers: we’ve got your back,” Romualdez said.
He also welcomed the ceremonial turnover of 16 mobile soil laboratories led by the President as part of a science-based approach to boost crop productivity. Romualdez vowed to integrate similar innovations into the legislative agenda to future-proof Philippine agriculture.
HB 14 builds on Romualdez’s broader advocacy to uplift both farmers and consumers.
Earlier this week, he filed House Bill 1, or the “Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act,” which seeks to restore the regulatory powers of the NFA to stabilize rice prices and ensure fair market conditions.
“From insurance to innovation to fair pricing, all these are part of a bigger effort to make sure that farming remains a viable and dignified way of life,” Romualdez said. “Because when we protect our farmers, we protect every Filipino family who depends on them for food.”
