IN THE bid to ensure not only the health of the animals but also that of the local raisers and their children, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental and Univet Nutrition and Animal Healthcare Company (Unahco) will conduct a joint veterinary-medical mission during the remaining months of the year.

The effort is part of the PVO's objective to prevent diseases that pose threats to both animal and human as well as to the food supply.

Also, it compliments to the measure on managing a sustainable campaign to prevent and eradicate diseases affecting the health of the animals and populace.

In support to this initiative, Unahco donated medicines, vitamins and supplements for adult and children as well as milk drinks totaling to P500,000.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the provision of medicines and other nutritional goods could ease the burden of animal raisers, especially of pigs who are affected by the low prices of pork brought about by the African Swine Fever (ASF) scare.

Decena said the provincial government is continuously promoting the development of backyard-dominated livestock and poultry industry that makes the province number one in terms of backyard swine and native chicken production in the country.

"This is putting in place various programs like animal genetic improvement, nutrition and animal health extension programs and services as well as veterinary-medical missions," the provincial veterinarian said.

These are also part of the food security and livelihood initiatives under the Abanse Negrense Development Agenda of the Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, he added.