Tillers still waiting for crop insurance

THE FARMERS who were affected by Typhoon “Lando” have not received any indemnity from the government for their damaged crops, according to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag).

The umbrella group knows of no farmer in the central and eastern part of Pangasinan having received any insurance claims, said Sinag chair Rosendo So.

Sinag groups some 33 organizations of farmers, agri-business operators and party-lists.

“We know of no one nor have we heard of anyone getting the payout from the PCIC (Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.),” said So.

“In hardest-hit Nueva Ecija, backyard hog raisers in (the towns of) Gabaldon, San Leonardo, San Antonio and Gapan have nowhere to turn to for insurance—the PCIC does not cover backyard livestock at all,” he added.

Last week, the PCIC said it expected to pay out a total of P732 million to Lando-affected farmers.

PCIC president Jovy C. Bernabe said this was the amount based on a rapid assessment done by staff of the state firm.