North Cotabato’s B’laan Farmers Receive Free Insurance Coverage Through DAR Initiative

TULUNAN, NORTH COTABATO – In a significant development aimed at supporting local agriculture and enhancing the livelihood security of indigenous farmers, 476 members of the B’laan community in Tulunan, North Cotabato, have been granted free insurance coverage.

According to Philippines News Agency, the provincial agrarian reform program officer, the insurance coverage was facilitated by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and provided on Monday to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Barangay Bacong. The beneficiaries, primarily coconut farmers, availed themselves of this opportunity through a collaboration involving the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and PCIC. “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 stated.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase the productivity of lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and to mitigate the risks and losses associated with agricultural operations. Bueno highlighted that the provision of free insurance to B’laan coconut growers is aligned with the PCA’s Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, especially relevant during the ongoing celebration of IP Month this August.

Village chief Victor Acac of Bacong expressed his community’s appreciation, noting that this was the first time IP farmers in the area had accessed crop insurance. “I hope this effort will continue in our barangay to encourage more ARBs to get insured,” Acac said.

Beyond crop insurance, the B’laan farmers also secured life insurance with coverage amounts ranging from PHP20,000 to PHP100,000, enhancing their families’ financial security. Luzel Marie Antes, the municipal agrarian reform program officer, added that at least 119 ARBs had taken advantage of the life insurance for the first time, which includes accident and dismemberment security schemes.