A COCONUT farmer collects coconuts in the province of Aurora. The Provincial Government and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) have signed a MOA on crop insurance to protect farmers like him from calamity and other natural disasters Photo by Jonas Reyes for DAILY TRIBUNE
AGRICULTURE

Aurora, PCIC seal deal to insure farmers against disasters

Jonas Reyes

Baler, Aurora — The Provincial Government of Aurora and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) have pledged stronger protection for local farmers' livelihoods in times of calamity and agricultural disasters.

During a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing held on 7 July 2025 at the Governor’s Office, Governor Reynante A. Tolentino and PCIC Region IIIA officer-in-charge Gerlie R. Gregorio formalized their commitment to providing crop insurance to Aurora’s farmers.

A largely agricultural province, Aurora is often battered by monsoons that wreak havoc on crops and leave farmers — many of whom work on marginal lands — struggling to recover. Crop insurance, officials said, aims to shield farmers from financial ruin and cushion the blow of losses incurred during disasters.

Also present at the MOA signing were PCIC Marketing and Sales Division OIC Pricilla DC Manalo, PCIC Provincial Extension Office Team Leader Gloira A. Amansec, and Provincial Agriculturists Arnold Nocivio, Maximina Ligaya C. Roque, Gina DL. Enaje, Reymar B. Tercero, and Alyssa Faye R. Soriano.

PCIC’s insurance program covers losses from natural calamities, plant diseases, and pest infestations affecting palay, corn, and other crops. It also provides protection for non-crop agricultural assets such as machinery, equipment, transport facilities, and farm infrastructure.

As a state-owned insurer, PCIC is mandated to design and implement insurance solutions tailored to the needs of small farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural stakeholders across the country.