476 N. Cotabato IP farmers get aid from DAR

COTABATO: At least 476 members of the B'laan indigenous community in Tulunan, North Cotabato, were granted free insurance coverage by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) through the assistance of the provincial Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) office on Monday. Evangeline Bueno, provincial agrarian reform program officer, said the B'laan recipients are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Barangay Bacong who availed of the program with PCIC to insure their coconut farms. 'DAR is working closely with partner agencies such as the PCA and PCIC to enhance the provision of support services to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in Tulunan,' Bueno said in a statement Tuesday. She said the collaboration aims to increase the productivity of lands covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and reduce the impact of risks and losses on the beneficiaries' livelihoods. PCA's free insurance for B'laan growers aligns with their Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan amid the contin uing celebration of IP Month this August, she noted. 'DAR remains grateful for the concerted efforts and synergy of government agencies in reaching out to the province's far-flung areas and vulnerable communities,' she added. Meanwhile, village chief Victor Acac of Bacong said this was the first time the IP farmers in the area managed to avail of crop insurance. "I hope this effort will continue in our barangay to encourage more ARBs to get insured," Acac said. In addition to crop insurance, the B'laan farmers also availed of life insurance with coverage ranging from PHP20,000 to PHP100,000, which provided financial security for them and their families. Luzel Marie Antes, municipal agrarian reform program officer, said at least 119 ARBs had availed of the life insurance for the first time, which covers accident and dismemberment security schemes. Source: Philippines News Agency