Department of Agriculture to strengthen crop insurance program – The Philippine Star » News » BusinessMANILA, Philippines – Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala plans to strengthen the Department of Agriculture crop insurance program as a necessary component of the DA’s rice, corn and other high-value commercial crops planting programs. In an interview, Alcala said, “we have to review the program. If we have to strengthen our planting programs, we also need to strengthen crop insurance.” However, as far as Alcala is concerned, he would prefer a simple and direct insurance program that allows farmers to be compensated as soon as possible for damages they incur due to certain events.