The Philippines' Bureau of the Treasury announced the placement of a parametric insurance policy that provides a maximum cover of 20.49 billion pesos for 25 disaster-prone provinces in the country's eastern seaboard.

The existing reinsurers are Nephila, Munich Re, Swiss Re AG, Axa and Hannover Re. They were joined by Hiscox Re, Allianz Re Switzerland, Tredje AP-fonden and Scor SE.

The program includes coverage for national and local government assets against natural calamities, including public elementary and high schools. The program took effect Dec. 19.

The covered provinces are: Albay, Aurora, Batanes, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cebu, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Laguna, Leyte, Northern Samar, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Zambales.

As of Dec. 19, US$1 was equivalent to 53.09 Philippine pesos.