• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Hog deaths in Negros Occidental have further risen to 15,422 as of July 2, with losses to the industry pegged at P174,448,780, according to a report of the Provincial Animal Biosecurity Incident Management Team.
The pig mortalities represent 10.19 percent of the entire population of 151, 281 in the province.
However, the hog daily mortalities appear to be decreasing further, with 119 pigs having died yesterday, compared to a peak of more than 400 in previous months.
The number of affected barangays remains at 146 in 18 local government units of Negros Occidental. However, the non-inclusion of Victorias City in the list of LGUS affected by swine deaths, remains a mystery.
Victorias City is among the five LGUs in Negros Occidental where the African Swine Fever virus has been detected.
On the other hand, the 1st district of Negros Occidental, composed of the cities of San Carlos and Escalante, and the municipalities of Don Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava and Toboso, have remained ASF-free.*
