By Helen Castaño, Marisol Bo-oc | 06:43 PM August 04, 2023
Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado said they are still waiting for the result of the random tests conducted on the pigs in Barangay San Vicente in Pilar town.
He stressed there are no confirmed cases of yet of hog cholera or African swine fever (ASF) yet in Pilar despite recording a number of hog deaths.
In an executive order he issued on July 28 that banned the entry of pigs and pork products in Pilar town, Aumentado pointed out the need to “protect and preserve” the swine industry, especially backyard farmers.
“We have put up checkpoints to limit the movements of pigs in the town to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.
During the Capitol Reports, a weekly-program of the provincial government of Bohol on Friday, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, the provincial veterinary officer, said their records show that Brgy. San Vicente logged more than 87 hog deaths.
Lapiz said the deaths of pigs in Pilar was caused by a viral infection.
Of the more than 87 hog deaths, 34 died and were buried before they came to the area she said.
Julieta Curiba, a hog raiser on Purok 6 in Barangay San Vicente, said her 22 pigs were killed and buried last July 28 to contain the virus.
The Provincial Veterinary Office has already been collecting blood samples of pigs in Pilar for testing and the province still remains ASF free.
Aumentado said the provincial government of Bohol will provide financial assistance of P5,000 per sow (anay) /boar (botakal), P3,000 per adult pig, and P1,000 per litter (baktin) to the affected hog raisers.
