BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental allotted an initial P4 million as financial assistance to hog raisers affected by swine diseases, particularly hog cholera and African Swine Fever (ASF).
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they are looking at giving P2,000 to each affected hog raiser but they still have to reassess who among them are in need of it.
Lacson said the cash assistance will be released through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The governor, however, 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 1,758 hog raisers in 14 LGUs have already been affected.
Losses are now pegged at P107.2 million, it added.
The town of San Enrique is the hardest hit, with almost the entire hog population wiped out.
The PVO said the town lost a total of 2,505 hogs or 93.05 percent of its hog population./PN
