Farmers, fishermen get P10.9 million insurance claims

CEBU, Philippines — Over 1,300 farmers and fishermen, who suffered from the crippling effects of the weak El Niño, have benefited from the insurance programs.

They have claimed their insurance indemnity totaling to P10.914 million from different insurance programs of the Capitol and other firms, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Thursday.

Emily Lagrimas, PDRRMO Research and Planning Division head, said several farmers, mostly corn producers, were able to benefit from the insurance indemnity claims after their produce were damaged and their livestock affected.

The extent of the El Niño damage covered 1,045 hectares of land area (corn fields or corn farms). Livestock, especially domestic pigs and cattle, suffered from or succumbed to the intense heat.

Lagrimas said the damage and loss to Cebu’s agricultural products, livestock, and fisheries have already ballooned to P121.7 million based on the assessment reports of the different local government units affected by the prevailing weak El Niño.

Of the 51 municipalities and cities in drought-hit Cebu province, she said, 35 are badly affected.

PDRRMO said 13,128 families or 67,057 individuals, including 7,622 farmers and 928 fishermen, are affected by the phenomenon.

Cebu remains under a state of calamity owing to El Niño.

At present, at least 16 towns and cities separately declared a state of calamity in their own LGU.

The state weather bureau said the ongoing weak El Niño may result in prolonged dry spell and hotter air temperatures.

El Niño is expected to last until August this year.

Lagrimas said the Capitol earmarked P32.598 million for the purchase of relief goods and items and for the payment of services (like water tanker rental).

Relief goods, such as rice, canned goods, and noodles, were distributed to the affected households. The affected LGUs were also given water pumps, plastic drums, waters tanks, and water containers, among others.

Aside from the response efforts, Lagrimas said the provincial government also pushed for preparedness efforts, such as the funding for the different water-related projects all over the province.

The PDRRMO and Provincial Engineering Office shelled out P154.763 million for the water systems or water pump installation and other related projects.

Different government offices and agencies convened June 20 for the second quarter PDRRM council meeting at the Capitol Social Hall, discussing measures to counter the effects of El Niño. — KBQ (FREEMAN)