Currimao targets 1,800 farmers, fisherfolk for insurance coverage

INSURED. Farmers register for agricultural and life insurance at the Municipal Agricultural Office of Currimao, Ilocos Norte on Aug. 11, 2026. The municipal government has allocated funds for the protection and safety of the agriculture sector which is a key driver of the local economy. (Photo courtesy of Currimao LGU)

By Leilanie Adriano

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government of Currimao is targeting all 1,800 farmers and fisherfolk in the municipality for coverage under life and agricultural insurance, providing them with financial protection against accidents, death, natural calamities, crop losses and other risks that could disrupt their livelihoods.

Municipal agriculturist Erickson Biag said the initiative, being undertaken in partnership with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), is intended to strengthen the social safety net for local agricultural and fishing communities, whose incomes are particularly vulnerable to weather-related disasters and other unforeseen events.

“Like last year, the local government unit of Currimao has allocated PHP200,000 for this purpose,” Biag said.

The provision of free insurance coverage is part of the municipality’s continuing efforts to help farmers and fisherfolk protect their families and recover more quickly when disasters or other unexpected events affect their sources of income.

For farmers, agricultural insurance can provide financial protection when insured crops are damaged or lost because of covered risks. Depending on the specific PCIC insurance program, crop coverage may include losses caused by typhoons, floods, drought, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, plant diseases and pest infestations.

For fisherfolk and fish growers, fisheries insurance may cover losses involving unharvested fishery crops or stocks resulting from natural calamities and other fortuitous events, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable insurance program.

PCIC also offers protection for certain agricultural assets, including fishing boats, fish cages or pens, fishing gear, farm equipment and other facilities, depending on the insurance coverage secured.

Life-related insurance provides another layer of protection. PCIC’s Agricultural Producers Protection Plan, for example, covers the death of an insured agricultural producer due to accident, natural causes, or murder or assault. Other PCIC programs provide coverage for accidental death or dismemberment, while loan repayment protection may cover an approved agricultural loan in cases involving the death or total permanent disability of an insured borrower.

Such protection can be particularly important for farming and fishing households because the loss of a crop, equipment, livelihood or family breadwinner can create immediate financial difficulties. Insurance can help cushion the impact of these events and give beneficiaries resources to rebuild their livelihood, subject to the applicable coverage, assessment and claims requirements.

Biag said the program is intended to ensure that Currimao’s farmers and fisherfolk are not left to shoulder the full financial burden when unforeseen circumstances affect their livelihoods.

Farmers and fisherfolk frequently face income disruptions brought about by typhoons, drought, flooding, pests, diseases and other hazards. For agricultural households that depend largely on seasonal production, a single major loss can affect not only the next harvest but also household expenses and the ability to purchase inputs for the succeeding production cycle.

With insurance protection, beneficiaries can have an additional financial safety net that may help them recover and resume production after a covered loss.

The initiative also supports the broader goal of strengthening the municipality’s agricultural sector by protecting the people whose livelihoods contribute to local food production and the economy.

Registration is ongoing, and interested farmers and fisherfolk may inquire and register through the Municipal Agriculture Office.

Rainy Valente, a farmer from Barangay Comcomloong, expressed appreciation for the program.

“Thank you to the municipal government of Currimao for the love of farmers and fisherfolk. This means a lot to us for our safety and protection,” Valente said.

The municipal government said the insurance initiative reflects its commitment to inclusive social protection, livelihood security and the development of more resilient farming and fishing communities in Currimao.