TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)-8 has reaffirmed its support for the modernization of the aquaculture sector in Eastern Visayas, emphasizing the need to combine technology and insurance protection to strengthen the livelihoods of coastal communities.
This developed during a workshop under the Department of Science and Technology-funded “Innovative Smart Systems for Data-driven Aquaculture to Promote a Sustainable and Inclusive Blue Economy in the Philippines” (ISSDA4PH), which gathered key stakeholders from government agencies, academe, and the private sector.
Among the participants were representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), state universities and colleges, and industry partners.
PCIC officials stressed that while modern aquaculture technologies are essential for improving production, insurance coverage is equally important in protecting fisherfolk from climate-related losses.
Acting Regional Manager Benita Alberto noted that compliance with BFAR-recommended farming methods is crucial for aquaculture insurance eligibility, citing mussel farmers in Jiabong, Samar who recently benefited from insurance payouts after adopting improved techniques.
Experts from UP Tacloban College and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) also highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable and resilient aquaculture systems in the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
