AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE
AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE With succeeding typhoons hitting the country, AGRI Party-list has urged the immediate enactment of a measure. This measure would expand crop insurance coverage to protect farmers’ livelihoods. Every time a calamity hits, they lose their hard-earned crops. AGRI is the principal author of House Bill (HB) No. 7387. The bill seeks to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. HB 7387 was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading in March 2023. It is now pending in the Senate. “Nananawagan tayo sa mga kapwa natin mambabatas sa Senado na agarang maisabatas ang panukalang ito,” said AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee. “Kulang na kulang sa proteksyon sa kabuhayan ang ating mga magsasaka. Alam naman po natin na tuwing may kalamidad, walang natitira sa kanila maliban sa utang at pangamba na lalong malubog sa kahirapan.” Under the measure, the PCIC would provide insurance coverage for all agricultural commodities. This expands coverage, which is currently limited to palay crops. Additionally, the proposed measure would also include other non-crop agricultural assets. These include livestock, aquaculture, fishery, agroforestry, forest plantations, machinery, equipment, transport facilities, and related infrastructures. “Bilang mga itinuturing natin na ‘food security soldiers,’ deserve ng ating mga magsasaka ang suporta ng gobyerno upang siguruhin ang kanilang kita,” the AGRI Party-list said. “Nararapat lamang na pagaanin ang pasanin ng pinagmumulan ng mismong mga kinakain natin!” AGRI also called on the PCIC to intensify its information campaign. The aim is to encourage more farmers to enroll in crop insurance. Moreover, AGRI urged the PCIC to be more proactive. It suggested deploying mobile offices to areas most affected by recent typhoons. “Imbes na maghintay sa mga opisina, kailangan ang gobyerno mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para ilapit ang mga serbisyo at benepisyo para sa ating mga magsasaka,” the party-list stressed. “Hindi na dapat pahirapan ang mga nasalanta nating kababayan o kaya naman ay parang sila pa ang nakikiusap o nagmamakaawa na sila ay tulungan.” AGRI Party-list also emphasized the importance of expanding insurance coverage beyond financial relief. In addition, this would contribute to achieving food security. “Ang pinakamabisang paraan para makamit ang murang pagkain at seguridad sa pagkain ay dagdag na suporta sa agrikultura,” AGRI stated. “Kapag naprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mga local food producers at natiyak ang kanilang kita, magsisilbi itong insentibo para pataasin ang kanilang produksyon,” AGRI added. As a result, this would increase supply in the market. Thus, food prices and other commodities would decrease. This would benefit the Filipino people! Previous Activities Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts 08 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024
