HINIKAYAT ni Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar ang backyard at commercial hog raisers na kumuha ng insurance packages para marekober sila sa kanilang investments sakaling hagupitin sila ng African Swine Fever (ASF).
“As the Department of Agriculture (DA) intensifies efforts to encourage hog raisers to get back to business and, ultimately, help pork production rebound, availing of an insurance coverage is a prudent safety net for existing raisers and for those in ASF-free areas who will venture into this business,” ani secretary Dar.
“Insurance offers stronger security in protecting one’s investments,” dagdag pa niya.
“Do not hesitate to take advantage of the free livestock insurance offered by the DA’s Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Regain your businesses and protect your livelihood,” pahayag pa ng hepe ng DA.
Ang nag-iisang government agricultural insurance firm sa bansa- ang DA-PCIC ay isinama ang ASF sa sakop ng livestock insurance nitong 2019, kung kailan nananalasa ang kinatatakutang sakit sa mga kanayunan, ayon kay Atty. Jovy Bernade, presidente ng ahensiya.
Ang PCIC ay magbibigay ng P10,000 insurance na sakop ng bawat ulo ng baboy, sa premium payment ng 2.25% o P225 lamang.
Bukod dito, ang maliit na backyard hog raisers ay bibigyan ng libreng insurance kung sila ay nakalista sa Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
Ang insurance coverage ay iba sa ASF indemnification claims na ang benepisyaryo ay karapat-dapat mabigyan ng P5,000 assistance bawat baboy na pinapatay.
Ang hog raisers ay maaaring mag-apply para sa insurance via online sa pamamagitan ng DA-PCIC website, o maaaring bisitahin ang kanilang 13 regional offices, 58 provincial extension offices at 20 services desks.
“The provincial, city or municipal agricultural officer or equivalent official in any locality may also be sought for assistance,” dagdag pa niya.
Kasabay nito, hinikayat din ang agricultural stakeholders na samantalahin ang libreng insurance coverage na bahagi ng ‘DA’s broader goal under the hog repopulation program, na pinondohan ng inisyal na P400 million. (JOEL O. AMONGO)
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