Bohol and Negros Oriental farmers and fishers received a total of ₱48.34 Million in indemnity for the whole month of September 2020.

Records from PCIC Regional Office 7 (RO7) show that Bohol received ₱37.33 Million. This covered 40 cities and municipalities and was distributed to 2,954 beneficiaries. Negros Oriental, on the other hand, received ₱11.017 Million. This was distributed to 25 cities and municipalities, and was received by a total of 1,042 farmers.

“PCIC has continued offering its insurance products and services, despite the restrictions imposed because of the corona virus pandemic,” Paulita Secuya, officer-in-charge for RO7, said. “This pandemic highlighted the need for food security, and with it , the importance of crop insurance.” 

This sentiment was echoed by Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, who attended one of the distribution activities.

“Our provincial government is focusing support on food production, for food sufficiency,” Yap said. “I am thankful for the PCIC who had been and continuously supporting the sector’s resilience.” 

For their part, farmer-beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to PCIC, for pushing through with indemnity check distribution activities.

Because of the pandemic, these distribution activities were held in smaller venues such as meeting halls and offices of local agriculture officers, so as to uphold physical distancing among farmer-beneficiaries. Moreover, beneficiaries, PCIC personnel and guests were also obliged to wear face masks and face shields, to prevent the spread of the virus.