BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) - Western Visayas released P1.985 million in indemnity claims to farmers in six local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental this week.

Data from the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) on Friday showed the checks were distributed in separate payouts to 622 farmer-recipients in the municipalities of Hinoba-an, Candoni and Don Salvador Benedicto, as well as in the cities of Kabankalan, Cadiz and San Carlos.

In Hinoba-an, 376 farmers whose rice crops were affected by pests and plant diseases received a total of P1.177 million in insurance claims.

Thirty-four farmers in Kabankalan City were given P97,137, while 42 in Candoni got P95,794 insurance coverage for damage to rice and corn crops.

In Cadiz City, 27 farmers received P77,029 for damaged rice crops.

Insurance claims amounting to P261,077 were released to 77 beneficiaries in Don Salvador Benedicto; while in adjacent San Carlos City, 66 farmers received P277,423 in total claims for damage to rice and corn, and animal losses.

“Farmers and fisherfolk are encouraged to immediately report any agricultural damage to their municipal or city agriculture offices within the prescribed timeframes to allow faster process for indemnification,” the DA said in a statement.

Damage to palay and corn must be reported within 20 days; high-value crops within three days; livestock and poultry within seven days; fisheries within two days; and machinery and infrastructure within three to 10 days. 

DA PHOTO