Laoag: The Department of Agriculture's Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (DA-PCIC) has been actively distributing indemnity checks to over a thousand farmers in Laoag City this week. This initiative, carried out in coordination with local government units (LGUs), aims to provide financial relief to insured farmers who suffered losses due to typhoons, pests, plant diseases, livestock mortalities, and fisheries losses in the previous year.

According to Philippines News Agency, Laoag City agriculturist Sheila Marie Opelac reported that a total of 1,121 farmers have received their indemnity claims. Opelac emphasized that the partnership with the DA-PCIC is crucial for helping the agricultural community recover and rebuild, especially in light of the challenging economic conditions currently impacting farmers.

The farmers who received the indemnity checks expressed their gratitude towards the PCIC and the city government. They noted that the insurance enabled them to recover a portion of their losses, thereby providing them with the opportunity to start anew. The PCIC has been actively encouraging farmers to utilize its services to safeguard their livelihoods and enhance their resilience against future adversities.

According to the City Agriculture Office, some farmers received multiple checks during the distribution process. The amount disbursed to each farmer was calculated based on the size of their land and the stage of crop development when the adverse events occurred. The Office of the City Agriculturist played a key role in facilitating the claims process, and additional indemnity payments are anticipated for eligible insured farmers.