• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Hog raisers affected by swine diseases in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, may receive cash assistance of P2,000 each starting next week, according to Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Chiqui Gonzales.
The swine population of San Enrique town was almost wiped out by various hog diseases.
Gonzales said the amount of P304,000 has been allocated for 762 hog raisers in San Enrique.
All 10 San Enrique barangays were affected, with hog mortalities reaching 2,671 out of a total hog population of 2,692.
Within this week we will be finalizing all the documentary requirements and the scheduling, Gonzales further said.
An initial amount of P4.5 million has been allocated for the initial batch of for affected hog raisers identified as recipients, according to Gonzales.
“This may be just the first tranche, as the payout depends on the available funds,” Gonzales pointed out.
Based on their inventory, she reported that only 2,250 hog raisers affected by various swine illnesses can receive the cash assistance from the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
As of July 31 report of the Provincial Animal Biosecurity Incident Management Team, a total of 4,251 hog raisers were affected by various swine diseases, which is blamed for the deaths of 17,755 pigs, with damage to hog industry valued at P198,879.325.*
