ILOILO – The provincial government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), released a total of P5.4 million in financial assistance to farmers or hog raisers affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
PVO head, Dr. Darel Tabuada, told Panay News, “Ang na-release na sang provincial government is P5.4 million sa mga munisipyo nga affected sang ASF,”
Farmers from the towns of Mina, Oton, Alimodian, San Miguel, Leganes, New Lucena, Pototan, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, and Santa Barbara already received cash aid.
Another set of financial assistance would be released next week to affected farmers in Zarraga town, while the PVO is already validating the documents of farmers from Dumangas, Banate and other areas in northern Iloilo.
Tabuada explained the PVO is fast-tracking the validation of the documents of the remaining towns so that the affected farmers can receive financial assistance.
Based on the executive order of Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. the amount of financial assistance to affected farmers will be based on the number of swine heads, whether sow, fattener or young swine (except sucklings) as follows:
* one to five hog heads – P7,000
* six to 10 hog heads – P10,000
* 11 to 15 hog heads – P15,000
* 16 to 20 hog heads – P20,00
* 21 to 25 hog heads – P25,000; and
* 26 hog heads and above – P30,000.
As part of the guidelines, the depopulation must be documented by the provincial/municipal/city ASF taskforce. In the grant of financial assistance to swine farmers, only one farm owner (individual/family/company/cooperative) per farm shall be recognized as a beneficiary.
Meanwhile, farms that conduct swine depopulation because of suspected or probable ASF cases but not under the supervision of the provincial/municipal/city ASF taskforce, shall not be qualified for financial assistance. The financial aid to affected hog farmers will be taken from the approved P40-million supplemental budget of the province.
The list of beneficiaries will be based on the submission of the respective local government units affected by ASF.
Currently, 112 barangays from 22 municipalities were affected by ASF.
Out of 22 towns affected, 17 towns are under the red zone and these are Oton, San Miguel, Leganes, New Lucena, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, Mina, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Banate, Janiuay, Concepcion, Barotac Viejo, Dingle, Batad, San Dionisio, and Zarraga.
Five towns are under the pink zone: Dueñas, Pototan, Badiangan, Estancia, and San Enrique./PN
