A total of 1,437 farmers and fisherfolk in Mindoro received ₱24.73 million in indemnity payments from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) as part of relief efforts following recent typhoons, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
Leading the distribution efforts on Thursday, Nov. 14, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. reaffirmed the government’s pledge to promptly aid those hit hardest by the storms.
“The timely release of these indemnity payments is part of government’s commitment to immediately provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolk who suffered due to typhoons,” he said in a statement.
Of the total amount, the agency said ₱16.046 million was allocated to 918 beneficiaries in Occidental Mindoro, while ₱8.684 million went to 519 beneficiaries in Oriental Mindoro.
The indemnities are intended to help farmers and fisherfolk recover from losses to crops, fishing equipment, and other vital assets that were heavily affected by the storms.
The recent typhoons brought widespread destruction across Mindoro, a region heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing.
The DA noted that PCIC’s indemnity payments are a critical component of the relief and recovery process, providing financial relief to support the livelihoods of those affected.
In addition to the indemnity payouts, the agency said its Regional Field Office 4B has provided ₱261 million in additional support to affected farmers.
Such includes financial aid, hybrid rice and corn seeds, fertilizer discounts, and hauling trucks aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the region’s agricultural recovery.
PCIC has urged farmers and fisherfolk in disaster-prone regions like Mindoro to enroll in its crop insurance program, which is designed to mitigate losses from natural disasters and safeguard livelihoods.