The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation Regional Office 7 (PCIC RO7) distributed indemnity checks amounting to ₱1.31 Million to 203 farmer-beneficiaries in the province of Cebu.

The distribution was held during Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s visit to the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC) compound in the municipality of Pinamungajan town on December 7, 2020.

“The PCIC continues to provide indemnity to insured farmers and fishers in spite of the pandemic,” PCIC Senior VP Antonio Uy II said. “During this time, farmers and fishers need assistance more and we assure them that PCIC remains committed in helping them recoup investments when natural calamities strike their field or fishery projects.”

Secretary Dar,  assisted by  SVP Uy and PCIC RO7 Officer-in-Charge Paulita Secuya,   led the distribution. Farmer-beneficiaries came from the cities of Carcar, Naga, and Toledo, and the municipalities of Pinamungajan, Argao, and Balamban.

 In his message to the farmers, Secretary Dar referred to them as true front liners. They are the ones who provide food to all Filipinos in spite of the ongoing pandemic,  Secretary Dar explained.    

Apart from the distribution, the Department of Agriculture (DA) also launched the Cash and Food Subsidy program.

Under this program, qualified farmers received vouchers that entitle them to ₱3,000 cash and ₱2,000 worth of food assistance.

The DA also turned over various agricultural projects to farmer-beneficiaries. These included farm animals, biogas digester, a 4WD 90HP tractor with accessories, fiberglass boats, sisal processing center, and a cocohub.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu 3^rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia, Cebu Board Member Jimbo Borgonio and DA Region 7 Executive Director Salvador Diputado attended the event.

Also present were the other members of the Regional Management Council, including the Regional Directors of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, National Dairy Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority   and the National Meat Inspection Service.