The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has set on stream measures to strengthen its operations and enhance insurance services to the country’s farmers and fishers.

In a meeting on Tuesday presided by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, the PCIC Board approved the plans of the country’s sole agricultural insurance provider for the year.

These included insuring a higher number of farmers, increasing total insurance coverage and premium revenues, and mounting a determined campaign to push pending legislation in Congress that will boost PCIC’s capitalization to some P10 Billion.

In the report to Secretary Alcala during the Board meeting, Atty. Bernabe outlined the operational gains of the PCIC last year, reflecting the sustained growth trajectory established by the agency since 2006, in key corporate indicators namely: number of farmers enrolled, size of farms insured, total premiums generated, total insurance coverage and total claims paid.

Atty. Bernabe also enumerated the new initiatives they embarked that propelled corporate growth. These were the implementation of the fisheries insurance, partnership with Local Government Units for the mass enrollment of their constituent farmers, fisherfolk and extension workers for PCIC’s various insurance products, a similar partnership scheme with national government agencies and non-governmental organizations, employee training especially in marketing, and getting International Standards Organization (ISO) certification for its systems and procedures.

Efforts leading to the prestigious ISO award documented, enhanced and standardized systems and procedures and led to much better and consistent quality management and professional delivery of services in head office and select regional representatives and higher and faster payment of indemnity claims.

The PCIC also plans to achieve the following this year: further shorten processing time for claims, continue to strengthen linkages with intermediaries, further improve efficiency by automating all aspects of operations of the corporation and provide free insurance coverage to Sikat Saka program beneficiaries in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo and North Cotabato.