January 29, 2021

Philippines' Department of Agriculture urges hog raisers to get free insurance

The Philippine's Department of Agriculture (DA) is lobbying insurance packages to local backyard and commercial hog raisers due to the potential risks of farms getting hit by disease outbreaks.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that an insurance provided by  the DA's Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will offer stronger security in protecting livestock investments especially with the recent threat of African swine fever (ASF).

"As the 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," he commented on January 21. "Do not hesitate to take advantage of the free livestock insurance offered by the DA's Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. Regain your businesses and protect your livelihood."

According to the DA, backyard hog raisers can get free insurance if they are listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). Furthermore, PCIC provides PHP10,000 (US$207.88) insurance coverage per head of swine with a 2.25% premium payment of PHP225 (US$4.68).

PCIC president attorney Jovy Bernabe said that the insurance coverage is separate from ASF indemnification claims, where beneficiaries are eligible for a PHP5,000 (US$103.99) assistance per culled pig.

Dar said that the DA-PCIC campaign to enrol affected hog raisers is part of the DA's broader goal under the hog repopulation programme, which has been allotted with an initial PHP400 million (US$8,315,208) fund. The DA has also launched a grassroots-level approach of monitoring ASF cases through the "Bantay ASF sa Barangay" or BABay programme to effectively manage, prevent and control the disease.

The BABay programme was created in partnership with the local government units, professional veterinary groups, state universities and colleges, and hog raisers' groups.

"The DA will continuously provide assistance to deter the adverse impacts of the ASF, as well as invest in programmes for the longer-term sustainability of the hog industry," Dar said.

 - Philippine News Agency