By PR | 09:52 PM May 09, 2024
The provincial government released cash assistance totaling P757,000 to hog raisers affected by African Swine Fever (ASF) in Purok 5 of Barangay Mayacabac and Purok 2 of Barangay Mariveles in Dauis on May 9 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Capitol.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado led the handover of the financial aid to hog raisers whose swine had to be depopulated as part of containment measures employed by the Provincial Inter-Agency ASF Task Force.
A total of P457,000 from the indemnification fund was given to 30 hog raisers for 101 culled hogs, 77 of which were breeders or sows at P5,000 each and 24 were weanlings at P3,000 each.
The governor also turned over P10,000 for each family under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development.
The affected hog raisers will also receive P5,000 for each culled hog from the indemnification fund of the Department of Agriculture.
“Ang inyong kahadlok nga mawa ang inyong kapanginabuhian pareho na sa among kahadlok kay what if tibuok Dauis o tibuok Panglao maapektuhan, mag-unsa na man ta ani?,” Aumentado told hog raisers.
He also thanked them for their understanding in the actions that had to be taken by the ASF Task Force to ensure that the disease is contained and expressed hope that the support of the provincial government provides them the relief and the help they need.
“Magpasalamat mi ninyo bisan sakit ang mga protocols nga gihimo. Nakasabot mi nga mao na ang nakapahuman sa pag-eskwela sa inyong anak o nakapahuman ba sa inyong panimalay,” he added as he sought their continued cooperation and compliance in the ongoing efforts to completely clear the affected areas from ASF.
According to Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, provincial veterinarian, one month of daily disinfection in the depopulation site as well as in index case premises is currently being conducted.
She reminded the swine farmers that raising of hogs shall be strictly prohibited within three months after the last disinfection.
At the end of three months, a “sentinel” or sample pig shall be raised in the index area for the next three months, with blood sample collection for ASF testing done every 21 days.
Hog raising can then resume once fully cleared in the evaluation after the six month period, she added.
The provincial government, through Aumentado’s directive, pledged to provide pigs from the farm of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian in the repopulation phase.
Meanwhile, provincial administrator Asteria Caberte announced that the provincial government is working out a livelihood intervention through the Provincial Cooperative Development Office to provide pig pens to equip hog raisers with the proper facilities and to ensure biosecurity requirements for hog raising.
As the ASF response continues, the OPV remains in close coordination with the Dauis Municipal ASF Task Force as an ASF team will be stationed in the municipality for testing of all pigs that will be transported outside of the town.
Under Executive Order No. 17 issued by Aumentado, all pigs must test negative in the RT-PCR test before they can be transported outside of Dauis.
The cash aid for ASF affected families is intended to encourage early reporting which is crucial to the ASF response.
The provincial government has been exerting efforts to protect the P6 billion hog industry comprising 48,000 hog raisers, 80% of them backyard raisers. (PIMO/LMS)
