BACOLOD CITY: The Negros Occidental provincial government continues to distribute financial assistance to affected swine raisers amid recovery efforts after losing some 18,000 hogs to African swine fever (ASF) and other transboundary hog diseases last year. Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Chiqui Gonzales said on Thursday that after the release of cash aid in E.B. Magalona town Wednesday afternoon, more assistance will also be distributed to other local government units (LGUs). 'There are LGUs that are still processing their documents,' Gonzales said in a telephone interview. The provincial government has allocated PHP10 million to provide assistance of PHP2,000 each to 5,000 affected hog raisers across the province. In E.B. Magalona, one of the worst-hit LGUs, an initial 99 hog raisers received a total of PHP198,000. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the distribution of cash assistance, said that while the province wants the swine industry to recover, it cannot be done without adher ing to farm biosecurity standards. 'That's the only way (to do it). There should be no shortcuts or you would be at the losing end and also the province. Just have a little patience,' the governor said. Negros Occidental still bans the entry of pork and pork products from ASF-hit areas, among these the highly-urbanized Bacolod City. Municipal Agriculturist Efren Garcia Jr. said that hog raisers in E.B. Magalona are gradually returning to swine production and this has stabilized the price of pork in the municipality. 'I advise those who want to go into swine production to ensure sanitation. It is our first defense against swine disease,' he added. Garcia said that pork being sold in the town market is now being supplied by local hog raisers. 'Now, pork sells at only PHP320 per kilo compared to the previous PHP380 and even up to PHP420,' he said. Last February, the provincial government also turned PHP192,000 worth of financial assistance to 96 hog raisers in Victorias City as well as a total of PHP1.3 m illion to 650 swine raisers in the municipalities of San Enrique, Valladolid, and Hinigaran. The Animal Biosecurity Incident Management Census Team in coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office validated the reported swine mortalities. Source: Philippines News Agency
