MANILA, March 11 -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) granted Monday the first insurance claim to a Bantay Dagat volunteer beneficiary in Oas, Albay.

Bantay Dagat or sea wardens help maritime authorities safeguard coastal waters in the country.

In a news release, the BFAR said around PHP55,000 worth of death benefits were given to the wife of volunteer Arnel Radan.

"This is the first time the family of a deceased volunteer of the Bantay Dagat was ever to claim a death benefit from the BFAR and PCIC," it said.

Radan passed away on Nov. 9, 2023 due to a heart attack, it added.

The two agencies processed his beneficiary's insurance claim for four months since Bantay...