• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is expected to release the P10 million financial assistance to affected hog raisers, starting next month.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, however said that hog raisers that did not follow biosafety protocols like throwing dead pigs into waterways, will not qualify to receive the assistance.
Each hog raiser is expected to receive P2,000 cash assistance.
The list of beneficiaries will be submitted today by Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana to the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
Diaz said they will release the assistance before the start of the election banning period.
PVO records show that about 2,922 hog raisers have been affected by swine deaths in Negros Occidental, with damage to the hog industry valued at more than P168 million, as of June 28.
Mortalities include almost 15,000 heads, reported in 18 out of 31 local government units of Negros Occidental.*
