PCIC and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) have entered into a partnership project that would provide insurance protection to law enforcement agents and volunteers that guard the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.
Called the Bantay-Dagat Insurance Program (BDIP), the partnership initiative was launched recently during BFAR’s observance of the 60th Fish Conservation Week.
PCIC has insured since over 3,000 qualified Municipal or City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (M/CFARMC) law enforcement officers and Bantay Dagat volunteers.
DA-BFAR and PCIC believe that BDIP will contribute greatly to energizing the conservation of the country’s marine resource and biodiversity.
FARMCs are platforms for the participation of fisheries and other community organizations in planning the use, development, protection and conservation of local fisheries and aquatic resources.
BDIP harnesses the PCIC’s Agricultural Producers Protection Plan (AP3), which insures farmers, fisherfolk and allied workers in agriculture and fisheries and covers death due to accidents, natural causes, and murder or assault.
BFAR officials, namely National Director Atty. Demosthenes R. Escoto and Assistant Director for Administrative and Other Support Services Zaldy Perez (partly covered) and DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate turn over the master list of Bantay Dagat Insurance Project beneficiaries to PCIC Acting Vice-President for Corporate Business Affairs Group Melba Manalo (second from left) and Mr. Arvin Jasper Adan (left), Officer-in-Charge of the PCIC’s Actuarial Research and Product Valuation Department. (Photo courtesy of BFAR).