P8-M swine distributed in Negros Occidental

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), has distributed 192 heads of breeder piglet and 77 heads of gilt for local goverment units (LGUs) in fifth and sixth districts Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

This is part of the Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program (Pagip) of the PVO under the province’s Abanse Negrense Priority Development Agenda.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said that with the present “new normal” situation prompted by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and the ongoing fight against African Swine Fever (ASF) that affected Luzon and the nearby provinces, it is incumbent that the Provincial Government extends continuous support in terms of hog production inputs.

Decena said these are identified as areas of greater importance to keep the industry and local stakeholders survive.

“The program primarily aims to acquire additional breeder stocks for local hog raisers to be distributed for breeding and production purposes,” he added.

For this year, a total of 205 heads of breeder piglet and 502 heads gilt worth P8 million will be distributed provincewide.

Decena said the program is centered on improving the local hog production to meet the demands from other provinces on top of the local supply.

The province, Decena said, remains the top producer of swine in Western Visayas and fourth in the entire country.

“The hog farming in the province is also a booming six million industry which serves as the source of livelihood of most rural backyard raisers especially during this time,” he added.

PVO records showed that the LGUs with the highest swine population, from rank one to 10, are Bago City, Kabankalan City, San Carlos City, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Cauayan, Murcia, Victorias City, Himamaylan City, and Isabela.

Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of swine to LGUs in fifth and sixth districts along with some board members, local chief executives, Decena and District Field Veterinarians in Hinigaran and Kabankalan City.

In fifth district, the LGUs that received 16 heads of breeder piglet and six heads of gilt each included Binalbagan, La Castellana, Himamaylan City, Isabela, Hinigaran, and Moises Padilla.

In sixth district, meanwhile, the recipients are Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay City, Candoni, and Hinoba-an.