MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday it has released P1.3 billion in indemnity fund for hog raisers in various regions of the country affected by African swine fever (ASF).
DA undersecretary William Medrano said they have rolled out funds to raisers whose hogs were culled to stop the spread of ASF.
As of Jan. 22, the DA has released some P700, 495,000 to assist affected hog raisers in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), 5 (Bicol), 11 (Davao), 12 (Soccksargen), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Another P647, 839,541 was released for Regions 1, 3, 4-A, and 11, while the National Capital Region received P37, 035.000.
Aside from the indemnification fund, the DA continues to open up budgetary options for the hog raisers to recover their livestock businesses.
“We are urging the affected farmers, backyard and big commercial farms to avail of our credit facilities. The Agricultural Credit Policy Council allocated P500 million for loan and LandBank has committed P15 billion,” Medrano said. (PNA)
