20/08/2025
πΊππππππ π·πππππππππ πππππ π·πͺπ°πͺ πππππππππππππ, πππππππππ πππππππ πππ πππππππππ ππ π·πͺπ°πͺβπ πππππππππ ππππ
Senator Francis βKikoβ N. Panglinan, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform chairperson, expressed his support to fixing the law underpinning the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) so that it can continue on with its service and operation.
This commitment was made during Senator Pangilinanβs dialogue with farmers and fisherfolk from Cagayan Province that was hosted by PCIC Regional Office 02. He was joined by Cagayan Governor Edgardo Aglipay, Cagayan Vice Governor Manuel Mamba, Sr., PCIC president Jovy Bernabe and farmer representatives in the PCIC Board, namely: board chairperson and Mindanao representative Romeo Salting Jr., Visayas representative Dalmacio Tamba, and Luzon representative Gerardo Soliman.
Senator Pangilinan also led the release of indemnity checks to insured farmers who recently claimed losses. Some 200 farmers received Php 2.66 million for Typhoons Crising and Emong.
For his part Governor Aglipay said that crop insurance and Senator Pangilinanβs pet legislation Sagip-Saka supported his governance platform which focuses on energy, environment, employment, good governance, agriculture, youth development and elderly welfare. He committed to designate a focal person for crop insurance in the LGU, and pay from LGU funds the insurance premiums of his constituent farmers who farm one hectare or less.
In his remarks, Senator Pangilinan related that he realized the hardship experienced and resilience exhibited by the Filipino farmer when a typhoon struck his farm in Alfonso, Cavite, destroying his greenhouses and crops, and disabling his irrigation system because of loss of electricity. Worse, when he restarted his farm, pests struck, and destroyed his crops as well. βThat is why crop insurance is important,β he said.
βThat is why we need to raise the budget of the PCIC and fix the law so that your operation can continue,β Senator Pangilinan continued.
Sen. Pangilinan also touted the Sagip-Saka Law he championed in 2019. He stressed that that a key provision enables the local and national governments to procure farm products through negotiations for the food needs of schools, hospitals, jails, military camps, evacuation centers and other institutions. He noted that farmers conducting early harvest before typhoons and inclement weather also face marketing problems, which now is solved by the Sagip-Sakaβs negotiated purchase from farmers.
Sen. Pangilinan held a dialogue and listened to issues relayed to him by the farmers.
