THE Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed indemnity to the farmers of Cabanatuan City on October 14 in a bid to help livestock raisers in coping with the effects of the African Swine Fever (ASF) to the local swine industry.

It was also aimed to ease the impact of ASF on affected livestock raisers.

About 294 hog raisers were given compensation for their depopulated pigs totaling to 3,226 pigs worth P16,130,000.

One farmer-beneficiary was Ricardo Linsangan of Barangay Bagong Sikat who handed 19 hogs and received P95,000.

He plans to purchase carabaos from the indemnity he received.

"At present, I cultivate one and a half hectare of land, in which I plant rice and vegetables. I am very grateful to DA since I can start a new venture aside from raising pigs," Linsangan said.