7 April 2026
The College of Social Sciences (CSS) and the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD) held a seminar at Solibao Hall, NPRCRTC, to address findings from the study, “A Holistic Inquiry and Understanding of Farmers’ Climate-related Profit Loss.”
The event brought together strawberry and vegetable farmers from La Trinidad, Benguet, to address the knowledge gap on crop insurance identified in the study. The seminar is part of the initiative “Iyaman: Giving Back to Communities through Research-based Advocacies, Policy Recommendations, and Community Partnership.” Additionally, the event aimed to present initial findings to the farmers for validation and to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for possible policy action.
In his message, VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres emphasized that crop insurance is a vital government intervention and a primary defense for farmers against the worsening effects of climate change. He expressed BSU’s desire to support the farming community through the seminar and shared his hope for a more systematic way for farmers to avail of crop insurance.
During the activity, CSS faculty members shared the results of their study. Ma. Theresa B. Dolipas discussed the issues that limit farmers’ access to crop insurance coverage.
Afterwards, Rose Tanacio from the PCIC Benguet shared the crop insurance application process, discussing the types of insurance, processes, forms, and other requirements. She encouraged the farmers to register their planted crops immediately to ensure coverage.
Ann Heather B. Kiwang presented narratives of local farmers on crop insurance and also shared local farmers’ recommendations on crop insurance for consideration by the PCIC. She also discussed how climate-related events such as typhoons, heavy rains, flooding, and farming conditions shape mental health concerns among the local farmers.
Throughout the event, participants shared their concerns regarding farming and crop insurance. The speakers, along with PCIC Coordinator Tanacio, provided feedback on the inquiries raised.
In interviews, participants expressed their appreciation to BSU for conducting the seminar.
“Mayat met ta na-invite kami. Ijay topic nga mental health, mayat ta in-state na jay reactions ti farmers towards daytoy mapaspasamak (effects of calamities on local farmers). Kayat mi met nga i-insure jay mula mi uray bassit jay land area mi. Kayat mi met nga adda agsubli kanyami nga expenses ta nagdakkel ti farm inputs, like ditoy strawberry farm. [It’s good that we were invited. Regarding the topic of mental health, it was helpful that they explained how farmers react to what is happening (the effects of calamities on local farmers). We also want to insure our crops, even if our land area is small. We want to get a return on our expenses because farm inputs are so expensive, especially here at the strawberry farm],” expressed by Margaret Atinyao, one of the participants.
“On behalf ijay kakadwak nga farmers, kayat ko nga agpasalamat ditoy nga seminar nga in-conduct ti BSU CSS and ISRD. Daytoy nga seminar on crop insurance ket makatulong kadakami nga farmers nga mang i-insuure iti crops mi karkaro iti daytoy calamities, flooding ken nainayon pay ti pest and diseases. So thank you for conducting this seminar ta makatulong met kanyami. Maysa pay nga ipakpakaasi mi, ti BSU koma ket tulunganna dakami nga farmers to avail jay government support, kasla daytoy services ti PCIC on crop insurance. [On behalf of my fellow farmers, I want to thank BSU CSS and ISRD for conducting this seminar. This seminar on crop insurance will help us farmers insure our crops, especially against calamities, flooding, and the addition of pests and diseases. So, thank you for conducting this seminar because it is a big help to us. One more thing we would like to request is that BSU helps us farmers avail of government support, such as the services of the PCIC regarding crop insurance],” said Jubeskie Sukabit, one of the participants.
In her closing remarks, Office of Research Services Director Ruth S. Batani thanked the organizers, the PCIC coordinator, and the farmers for their active participation.//EBawayan
