The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Department of Agriculture (DA) – Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) launched the project “Scaling-up Risk Transfer Mechanisms for Climate Vulnerable Agriculture-Based Communities in Mindanao,” or the WIBI Mindanao Project, in a ceremony held in Davao City on June 1, 2015.

The Project Board Chairperson, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo-Puyat, graced the launching as the keynote speaker.  She challenged the project stakeholders and partners to attain the 2,000 target clienteles, and strongly encouraged women participation.

The PCIC Management led by President Jovy C. Bernabe, BOD Chairman Dioscoro A. Granada, Senior Vice President Norman R. Cajucom, RO X Regional Manager Rosa M. Gatinao and RO XI Regional Manager Bonifacio V. Pales, RO XII Regional Manager Elias Catulong and UNDP National Project Coordinator Israel Q. dela Cruz, Technical Assistants Charlene Ngo and Caryclin Cacdac received the participants and partner project implementers.

Davao City Councilor Leo Avila, on the other hand, lauded the project as a big boost in addressing the vulnerability of Davao farmers against climate change.

The occasion was highlighted by the launching of the project website, www.wibimindanao.com, and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing with the initial WIBI Mindanao project proponents, First Valley Bank and King Cooperative.