THE provincial government of Negros Occidental has alloted an initial fund of P4 million as financial assistance for hog raisers in the province who have been affected by the recent hog deaths caused by swine illnesses, particularly hog cholera, and the African swine fever (ASF).
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said they are currently eyeing at giving P2,000 for each affected hog raisers, and they still have to re-assess and see who among them are in need of it.
Lacson said the cash assistance will be released to affected households through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Lacson also admitted that not everybody will be covered, although the local government units (LGUs) can also assist.
As of June 2, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported that a total of 1,758 hog raisers in 14 LGUs in the province have already been affected.
Hog losses are now pegged at P107.2 million.
The town of San Enrique is the hardest hit, with almost the entire hog population already wiped out.
The town lost a total of 2,505 hogs or 93.05 percent of the town's hog population.
Meanwhile, Pulupandan's Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office and Provincial Veterinary Office, recently conducted a disinfection activity in susceptible areas in Pulupandan as part of intensified biosecurity measures against ASF.
The disinfection activity was conducted in identified high-risk areas.
The MDRRMO used a combination of disinfectants and sanitizers to eliminate the virus and other harmful microorganisms.*