By Paulo Loreto Lim

Following the approval of the request by the Negros Occidental provincial government for crop damages caused by pests and disease to be covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), farmers can now be covered for such damages through a loan from the provincial government.

Previously, only damages from calamities were eligible for such coverage, however, after paying a premium of P840, which will be provided by the provincial government though a loan, farmers can be eligible for the insurance.

“[PCIC] has yet to issue the guidelines,” said Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino. “Only succeeding damage brought by pest and diseases can be covered.”

He noted, farmers will pay back the government upon receiving their claims.

In its previous form, the provincial government would lend P500 to pay for the premium, while farmers would provide P340.

Recently, P8.3 million worth of damages to Sipalay City plantations due to an infestation of grain bugs was reported last month.

The infestation was said to have affected 221 hectares of farmland, across 13 city barangays./PLL, WDJ