ILOILO – The provincial government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), has released financial aid to hog farmers affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) in Oton town.
PVO head, Dr. Darel Tabuada, led the distribution of checks worth a total of P1,745,000 to 198 hog farmers from 31 barangays of Oton on Jan. 19.
These barangays were Bita Norte, Caboloan Norte, Caboloan Sur, Sta. Monica, Bita Sur, Abilay Norte, Galang, Tagbak Norte, Buray, Sta. Rita, San Antonio, Poblacion South, Pakiad, Poblacion West, Mambog, Batuan Ilaya, Sta. Clara, Sambaludan, Calam-isan, Cadinglian, Salngan, Batuan Ilaud, Botong, Pob. East, Trapiche, Tuburan,Tagbak Sur, Rizal, Abilay Sur, Pulo Maestra Vita, and Lambuyao.
A total of 207 samples tested positive for ASF in Oton; this resulted to the depopulation of 1,541 heads of swine, PVO data showed.
The PVO is also preparing for the distribution of financial assistance to affected hog farmers in San Miguel town.
Based on the executive order of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the amount of financial assistance affected hog farmers will get would be based on their number of swine heads, whether sow, fattener or young swine (except sucklings) such as follows:
- one to five hog heads – P7,000
- six to 10 hog heads – P10,000
- 11 to 15 hog heads – P15,000
- 16 to 20 hog heads – P20,00
- 21 to 25 hog heads – P25,000; and
- 26 hog heads and above – P30,000.
As part of the guidelines, the depopulation must be documented by the provincial / municipal / city ASF taskforce.
In the grant of financial assistance to swine farmers, only one farm owner (individual / family / company / cooperative) per farm shall be recognized as beneficiary.
Meanwhile, farms that conducted swine depopulation because of suspected or probable ASF cases but not under the supervision of the provincial / municipal /city ASF taskforce, shall not be qualified for financial assistance.
The financial aid to affected hog farmers will be taken from the approved P40-million supplemental budget of the province.
The list of beneficiaries will be based on the submission of the respective local government units affected by ASF.
Fifteen towns in the province were already affected by ASF, of which 11 were declared as “red (infected) zone” and the rest were under pink zone.
These 11 towns were Oton, Janiuay, San Miguel, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, Leganes, New Lucena, Mina, Banate, Dumangas, and Barotac Nuevo.
Under red zone, the movement of live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials in and out of the said municipality shall be prohibited.
The four towns classified as pink zones are Dueñas, Barotac Viejo, Zarraga, and Badiangan./PN
