BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is set to complete the distribution of financial assistance to hog raisers impacted by recent hog mortalities by the end of this year.
An allocated budget of P2.5 million is expected to benefit over 2,000 hog raisers across the province.
According to Chiqui Gonzales, provincial social welfare and development officer, eligible hog raisers must provide a barangay certification of indigency and a certification from the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, confirming their inclusion in the master list.
Following identification, assessment and validation by the provincial offices of veterinary agriculture, these hog raisers will qualify for the financial assistance, subject to the provision of necessary pre-audit documents.
In September, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) had put a temporary hold on the distribution of this aid due to the election period.
Earlier in the year, the hog industry of Negros Occidental, which is valued at about P6 billion, faced significant challenges due to outbreaks of hog cholera and African Swine Fever (ASF).
However, these issues have been brought under control, and the provincial government is gearing up to launch its hog sentinelling program, a statement from the PVO indicated.
The PVO has also announced plans to start a hog repopulation program in the coming year, initially focusing on areas in the fourth district. This district, notably, was the first to report hog fatalities and recorded the highest mortality rate.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued a memorandum to all local government units outlining the guidelines for the hog sentinelling program, a scientific method aimed at detecting the presence of the ASF virus in targeted areas./PN
