• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The damage to hog industry of Negros Occidental, due to hog cholera and other swine diseases, has breached the P200 million mark, as of July 30.
Based on the report of the Provincial Animal Biosecurity Incident Management Team, swine diseases have already killed 17,744 pigs, affecting 4,244 hog raisers.
Estimated damage placed at P198,746.150.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, however noted that the daily swine deaths have been showing a continuing decline in numbers, which was down to 18 on Sunday.
The situation is now normal, Diaz declared.
On the other hand, Mayor Jilson Tubillara yesterday confirmed that almost all hogs in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, have died of various swine diseases.
Tubillara said he believes that African Swine Fever (ASF), which has similar symptoms with hog cholera, also caused the deaths of pigs in the town, although there was no confirmation of it.*
