• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With unabated daily increase in hog deaths due to diseases, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday urged hog raisers in Negros Occidental, to sell their pigs early and to desist from engaging in swine repopulation.
Lacson noted a reduction of P30 per kilo for live weight, especially in areas affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) and other hog diseases.
As of June 11, the total hog deaths in 126 affected barangays of 16 local government units further rose to 12,139, or 9.26 percent of the total swine population in Negros Occidental.
While there are hog deaths on daily basis, the number of deaths has been reducing, Lacson said, adding that hog cholera is still the prevalent cause of most swine deaths.
As to the measures in case of hog mortalities, we are doing still the same, as spelled out in protocols issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry, he added.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is now facilitating the giving out of financial aid to selected hog raisers, through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
It will be per family, Lacson stressed.
The damage to hog industry due to swine diseases is pegged at P136,311,800, according to PVO reports.
As to the possible declaration of state of calamity due to hog deaths, Lacson said they can do that if 50 percent of Negros Occidental areas affected by the hog deaths. As of now, “I think we are we’re over 10 percent now, noting that 16 of 31 LGUs are experiencing swine mortalities.”
Anticipating typhoons that may hit the country, as the rainy season starts June, Lacson also said that “it is not prudent to immediately tap the calamity funds.”
125TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
Lacson, who led the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebrations at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City, called on Negrenses “to cultivate a culture of invention, creativity, and entrepreneurship to drive our nation forward, as our portion to the independence handed down to us by our forefathers.”
He said the celebration is a demonstration that the nation’s strength lies in the capacity to come together as one people, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs, to work for a common vision of a prosperous, equitable, and inclusive Philippines, free from poverty, inequality, corruption, environmental destruction, and all forms of oppression.
“On this historic day, let us also thank all the men and women who serve our country with dedication and selflessness — the troops, healthcare workers, teachers, public servants, and all those who contribute to the advancement of our society,” Lacson added.
The governor also urged Negrenses and Filipinos to work together to create a society in which no Filipino is left behind and that every individual has the freedom, due to equal opportunities to achieve personal advancement and contribute to the progress of our country.
During the program, a Philippine Air Force helicopter dropped confetti with the colors of the Philippine flag over the Provincial Capitol and Lagoon, which was a highlight of the event.
Lacson also turned over P900,000 worth of insurance benefits to beneficiaries of the Barangay Insurance Program for Barangay Tanods and Barangay Officials and Employees.*
