P4.1 M for 400+ ASF-

affected pig growers

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan 9 (PIA)—Since November 24 to this date, some P4,137,000 have been given to or are in the process of being distributed to 417 households whose animals were among those depopulated to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) that has hit 9 barangays in 5 towns.

The amount represents the 1,207 heads of hogs ranging from sucklings to breeders, which have been depopulated being within 100 meters from a confirmed ASF case.

Based on the Department of Agriculture Memorandum Circular No 10 Series of 2019 and Administrative Order No. 22 series of 2020, which act as guidelines in the veterinary quarantine movement protocols, authorities shall do a mandatory test and destruction as well as swine depopulation shall be done within the vicinity of a confirmed ASF case.

To this, governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has led the Provincial Government to set aside, not a huge amount, but something that could help alleviate production losses and encourage animal farmers to promptly report cases of animal disease to allow authorities to quickly set up control points.

In Executive Order No 37-A, s of 2023, it provides P2 million from the funds of the Office of Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) and another P2 M from the provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Fund.

The EO also provides entitlement rates for animals that get depopulated such as farmers of sacrificed sucklings get P1,000, weanlings P3,000 and breeders P5,000.

However, those entitled are only those whose pigs are destroyed during depopulation and not for deaths that happen while owners refused to have their animals sacrificed, to stop the viral spread.

With the fund allocated, in San Miguel, which had two barangays affected and some 624 hogs depopulated, hog growers are entitled to some P2,332 million cash assistance from the provincial government.

If the farmers had their hogs insured through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, they could still get more help, while the local government has also a menu of help for the hog-owners.

OPV also reports continued depopulation and blood sampling operations in Bayongan San Miguel, to contain the disease in the next 15 days. This means, the town folks would still need additional cash aid to alleviate the loses in the culled animals.

Batuan on the other hand, which also had two barangays affected by the animal disease, reports 352 swine heads culled after infections were noted within the animals 100 meter vicinity.

With that, 71 animal farmer families are entitled to some P1,458,000 as indemnification for the culled swine heads.

As Poblacion Sur in this town reported additional depopulation and continued daily monitoring, Poblacion Norte had no more reported cases but has to continue blood sampling and surveillance and monitoring.

In Ubay, 40 households tend to get entitled to a total of P283,000 and still undetermined amount for San Francisco animal owners whose hogs were among the 126 heads culled to cordon off the disease.

Another two barangays in Carmen have reported the presence of the animal disease: Nueva Vida Norte and Buenos Aires.

All together, about 59 heads of swine have been culled, more depopulations are expected within the next few days, affecting 11 households as yet.

These animal farmer families could get P64,000 and even more with Buenos Aires still in the process of completing their papers for the cash aid.

Most recently, the disease is back in Pilar after a series of infections in its neighboring towns.

Barangay la Suerte now reports 50 swine heads depopulated from 6 hog grower families, the amount of entitlement still to be determined as documentation processes continue.

Pilar however, like its first case in San Vicente a few months back, did not happen to spread further. (RAHC/PIABohol)