BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government released a total of P198,000 in financial assistance to hog raisers of E.B. Magalona town affected by the African swine fever (ASF) and other transboundary swine diseases.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of P2,000 cash aid to each of the 99 beneficiaries at the town’s public plaza on Wednesday, May 8. He was joined by Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Sangguniang Bayan members Gilda Parcon and Gelita Parcon, and Municipal Agriculturist Efren Garcia Jr.
E.B. Magalona was one of the worst-hit local government units (LGUs).
Garcia said that hog raisers in the town are gradually returning to swine production and this has stabilized the price of pork in the municipality.
He added that pork being sold in the town market is now being supplied by local hog raisers.
The provincial government has allocated a total of P10 million to provide assistance of P2,000 each to 5,000 affected hog raisers across the province as part of its ASF recovery program.
After E.B. Magalona, more assistance will also be distributed to other LGUs in the province.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Chiqui Gonzales said other LGUs are still processing their documents.
In February this year, the provincial government had distributed P192,000 worth of financial assistance to 96 hog raisers in Victorias City and a total of P1.3 million to 650 swine raisers in San Enrique, Valladolid and Hinigaran./PN
