MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured farmers that the government has expanded and made crop insurance more accessible to help them recover from typhoons, droughts, and other disasters.

Speaking to farmers during a dialogue in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the President said the Department of Agriculture (DA) now provides broader and more affordable insurance coverage, enabling more farmers to receive assistance when their crops are damaged.

“Lahat ng tanim natin ay may insurance. Binibigyan natin ng insurance. So hindi kagaya nung dati, kasi yung iba namamahalan,” Marcos said.

“At syempre hindi kayang makover lahat. Ngunit, since ang DA na gumagawa, ay mas malaki na ang pwedeng insurance cover. Kaya pinalawak natin ang coverage ng ating mga insurance,” he added.

In response to a farmer’s concern about climate-related losses, Marcos said the DA would help replant crops if the season still allows. Otherwise, the government will provide a subsidy to tide farmers over until the next planting cycle.

“Kapag tinamaan ng bagyo at nasira ang tanim… kung pwede pang magtanim ulit eh, papasok na naman ang DA at tutulungan kayo makapagtanim ulit,” he said.

“Pero pagka talagang nasira na yung planting season at hindi na makabawi, ay magbibigay kami ng subsidy para makatawid lang hanggang sa susunod na planting season,” the President added.

During the event, Marcos also led the ceremonial turnover of 16 mobile soil laboratory units from the DA, which will support farmers in enhancing crop productivity through on-site soil testing and science-based recommendations.