BY MARCHEL P. ESPINA
The provincial government of Negros Occidental turned over livelihood projects, worth P366,000, to local government units in the second district yesterday.
The cities of Sagay and Cadiz and Manapla town received breeder piglets, veterinary drugs, supplies and biologics, and financial assistance for para-veterinarians in the district.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution at the Manapla Hall grounds. He was joined by Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, Board Member Sixto Guanzon Jr., mayors Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City and Manuel Escalante III of Manapla, other local officials, and members of the Alliance of Hog Raisers Associations of Negros Occidental.
Other districts in the province already received similar livelihood projects early this year.
Lacson thanked the livestock breeders for helping the hog industry of the province, which is now faced with a challenge brought by the African swine fever.
“We are thankful for your vigilance. The problem on ASF is very challenging,” he said.
So far, the province is successful in its campaign against the virus, he added.
He also said that local commercial raisers are now supplying hogs to Manila.
Decena said the province will continue with its animal genetic improvement program, considering that Luzon and Mindanao have low supply of swine.
He added that six provinces in the country were already affected by ASF, and it would take time to eradicate the virus.
“We have the market…the province is serious in protecting the industry,” he said.*
