LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The provincial government headed by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas is encouraging all swine raisers to report immediately to their respective Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) or directly to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) at the Capitol in case their pigs are infected with the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus to stem the spread of the disease and save other hogs from getting infected.
The PVO is advising swine raisers to immediately report unexpected deaths of their pigs to their OMAg for appropriate action. In situations like this, the MAO coordinates with the PVO for the conduct of ASF testing on the dead pigs. Once the pigs test positive for the virus, depopulation is conducted to control the spread of the disease.
The PVO said swine raisers should not hesitate to notify them or their municipal governments once there are cases of ASF in their area as the government extends assistance through its program to farmers affected by livestock and poultry diseases.
As of May 15, 2022, a total of 33 hog raisers whose pigs were depopulated and buried due to ASF received cash assistance from the provincial government.
Based on data from the PVO, reports from hog raisers resulted to the depopulation of some 184 pigs as a measure to contain the virus. With this, funds amounting to P978,300.00 were released by the provincial government as assistance to the affected farmers.
Meanwhile, poultry raisers whose business was affected by the Avian Influenza from January to May this year were also given assistance totaling to P46,050.00 after having 307 of their chickens and ducks depopulated for the containment of the disease.
Governor Diclas said the assistance the government is providing may not suffice to compensate for the loss of their source of livelihood, he hopes that it helps them restart their livestock and poultry business.
Further, the governor reminded hog and poultry raisers to observe biosecurity measures to avoid the spread of the ASF and avian influenza. By SAP Jr.
