ILOILO – The provincial government allotted a total of P7.7 million in financial assistance for hog farmers affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
From Jan. 19 to May 8 this year, a total of P6,858,000 was released to 683 farmers, data from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed. The remaining P825,000 will be released to 52 more farmers in the coming weeks.
Here is the breakdown of the P6,858,000 financial assistance per affected municipality:
* Oton – P1,745,000 (198 farmers)
* San Miguel – P1,374,000 (121 farmers)
* Alimodian – P194,000 (17 farmers)
* Leganes – P453,000 (44 farmers)
* Mina – P89,000 (farmers)
* New Lucena – P683,000 (64 farmers)
* Santa Barbara – P450,000 (46 farmers)
* Barotac Viejo – P604,000 (68 farmers)
* Barotac Nuevo – P437,000 (41 farmers)
* Pototan – P30,000 (one farmer)
* Janiuay – P300,000 (26 farmers)
* Zarraga – P167,000 (17 farmers)
* Concepcion – P302,000 (30 farmers)
* San Dionisio – P30,000 (one farmer)
The remaining P825,000 will be released to the following:
* Batad – P45,000 (two farmers)
* Dumangas – P82,000 (eight farmers)
* San Dionisio – P30,000 (one farmer)
* Balasan – P32,000 (two farmers)
* Estancia – P157,000 (eight farmers)
* San Dionisio – P247,000 (31 farmers)
Based on the executive order of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the amount of financial assistance to affected farmers will be based on the number of swine heads, whether sow, fattener or young swine (except sucklings) 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
* 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 a beneficiary.
Meanwhile, farms that conduct 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.
ASF has so far hit 25 towns in the province, affecting 1,173 hog farmers./PN
