• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
On top of P10 million financial assistance to hog raisers affected by swine diseases in Negros Occidental, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz yesterday said that the provincial government may allocate additional funds for such purpose.
Diaz said that the P25 million unused budget allocated earlier to address the COVID-19 pandemic, which is no longer a health emergency, will be realigned to assist more affected hog raisers and other projects of the provincial government, that need funding.
“We will submit the proposal to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan for their approval,” he added.
A total of 2,250 hog raisers have initially been identified by the Provincial Social Development Welfare Office as recipients of cash assistance of P4.5 million, at P2,000 each.
Records of the Provincial Animal Biosecurity Incident Management Team showed that 4,251 hog raisers in the province have been affected by swine diseases.
As of their July 31 report, a total of 17,755 pigs died, which represents 9.81 percent of the 181,048 hog population of Negros Occidental, with losses to industry pegged at P198.8 million.
As of Tuesday, Diaz reported that hog fatalities have reduced to four a day.
Of the 31 municipalities and components of Negros Occidental, he reported that Don Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Sagay City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Sipalay City, Candoni, and Hinobaan, have remained free from the African Swine Fever.
Diaz said hog raisers who were able to receive cash aid from their respective local government units will also receiving financial assistance from the provincial government.
“The amount we are giving is not really commensurate, but it’s a way of saying that the provincial government cares for them, and whatever assistance we can extend to them, we will not hesitate,” he stressed.*
