The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has released P104.1 million in insurance claims to 10,596 farmers and fisherfolk to help agricultural producers repair damaged farms and equipment, replace lost inputs and, most importantly, get back to work for those whose livelihoods were damaged by the intensified southwest monsoon, or habagat, and three tropical cyclones between August 1 and September 13 without waiting too long for financial support.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that speed is critical because many affected producers rely on each production cycle to sustain their families and keep food moving through local markets.
“We need to get these insurance payments to our farmers and fisherfolk as quickly as possible,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that the funds can help producers recover from losses and return to production.
The largest regional payout went to MIMAROPA, where P41.097 million was released to 2,721 insured farmers and fisherfolk. Central Luzon followed with P21.019 million for 1,435 beneficiaries, while CALABARZON received P9.893 million covering 1,395 claimants.
Rice farmers accounted for the biggest share of the payments, receiving P53.755 million through 4,972 claims. Corn producers received P23.933 million covering 2,396 farmers, while livestock insurance payouts reached P15.737 million for 1,100 beneficiaries.
High-value crop producers received P8.635 million for 1,907 claims. Fisheries beneficiaries received P1.193 million, while P853,000 was released for damaged non-crop agricultural assets.
For PCIC President Jovy Bernabe, timely claims settlement is also about keeping farmers and fisherfolk confident that agricultural insurance will be there when disaster strikes.
“We need to assure PCIC clients that their insurance claims will be immediately settled,” Bernabe said, stressing that support is most valuable when it reaches producers at the point when they need it most.
Beyond immediate relief, the insurance payments can help determine how quickly a farm or fishing operation gets back on its feet. With funds available, producers may be able to finance the next planting or production cycle, replace damaged assets and avoid a prolonged interruption in their income.
The challenge is becoming more significant as agricultural communities contend with increasingly unpredictable weather. Climate-related hazards, alongside pests and diseases, continue to expose farmers and fisherfolk to losses that can stretch far beyond a single harvest.
PCIC said it remains committed to settling pending claims as quickly as possible. Greater investment in agricultural insurance, meanwhile, could widen protection for producers and strengthen their ability to absorb future shocks—helping keep both rural livelihoods and the country’s food supply on firmer ground.