DA distributes PHP667M indemnity checks to storm-affected farmers

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. distributed indemnity checks worth PHP24.73 million to 1,437 farmers and fisherfolk in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro affected by recent tropical cyclones.

The payout from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) includes PHP51 million for about 4,300 beneficiaries across CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol, with a total funding of P667 million allocated for indemnification targeting 86,000 farmers.

These funds aim to help recipients restore their livelihoods, including crops damaged by the storms, encouraging farmers to participate in crop insurance programs as a safety net against future calamities.

In addition to indemnity checks, the DA's Rice-for-All Program is now selling rice at P42 from Kadiwa stores due to decreased international market prices.

The Department of Agriculture continues to provide support and financial assistance to affected farmers, including hauling trucks and seeds, to help them recover and resume farming activities.