The PCIC Regional Office IV, in coordination with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial office in Laguna held a one-day orientation on the insurance programs for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) on June 7, 2018.

“We want agrarian reform beneficiaries to be fully informed, so that they can avail of the agricultural insurance for themselves,” PCIC Regional Manager Evelyn A. Virtudez said.  “An insurance program has been created that includes them. Considering they only have small parcels of land, they need the help for initial capital and crop protection.”

PCIC provides insurance protection to the farmers against loss of their crops and non-crop agricultural assets due to natural calamities, plant diseases and pest infestations, and extreme weather events brought about by climate change.

In the orientation, Ms. Virtudez discussed the program and the role of DAR in its implementation and explained the utilization of the government premium subsidy for ARBs.

Both the PCIC and DAR agreed to assist each other to realize the objectives and purposes of the RSBSA Agricultural Insurance Program.

The orientation was attended and led by Mr. Edgardo T. Bello, OIC-CARPO, together with the ARPO, DAR Development Facilitator, PCIC Regional Manager Evelyn A. Virtudez and PCIC RO IV staff. Various Farmers Federations and Irrigators Association of Laguna were also present.