Manila: A lawmaker filed a bill on Wednesday to grant comprehensive insurance coverage to all agrarian reform beneficiaries against agricultural risks. Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale Corvera introduced House Bill No. 6951 to address persistent vulnerabilities farmers face from natural calamities, plant diseases, pest infestations, and accidental injuries.

According to Philippines News Agency, the measure proposes amendments to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law to mandate insurance for compensable losses. Coverage would include damage from typhoons, floods, droughts, and other disasters, as well as losses from specified plant diseases and pests.

It would also cover loss of life or injury from such events and protect farming produce and non-crop agricultural assets. Corvera, a House agrarian reform committee member, said the grant would help reduce rural poverty, safeguard land reform gains, and contribute to national food security.

"Ownership or control of land alone does not shield our ARBs from the inherent risks of agriculture," Corvera told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday. He emphasized that "land reform is not just about distribution of land to the landless, but also empowering them to become productive and self-reliant contributors to national development."