Eleven hog raisers in Benguet affected by the African swine fever received P228,400 cash aid from the provincial government on Dec. 28.
Four of the beneficiaries are from Itogon, three each from La Trinidad and Bokod, and one from Atok.
Provincial Veterinarian Miriam Tiongan the cash aid is the fourth tranche given by the provincial government to ASF-affected hog raisers. Last month, the Capitol also gave P826,700 to 20 swine raisers.
“The assistance is continuing but we hope this would be the last as there is no more budget for financial assistance,” she said, adding there are no new cases of ASF for the province in December.
She urged the farmers to strictly implement biosecurity measures in their farms and to report suspected illnesses in the PVAO.
Biosecurity refers to measures taken to stop the spread or introduction of harmful organisms to humans, animals, and plants.
Hog raisers are told to strengthen biosecurity in their farms such as placing a fence in their farms, putting foot baths at the entrance of the farm, non-entry of fresh pork inside the farm, and proper documentation of acquired new stocks of piglets which should be inspected at the provincial animal quarantine station.
They are also reminded not to feed their pigs with swill or food scraps, which is one of the ways the virus is transmitted. They should also be wary on who are going in and out of their farms, as they might be hosts of the ASF virus.
Farm owners must also be wary of pig sellers online, as earlier cases of ASF recorded in the province came from online sellers who sold infected piglets to unsuspecting farmers. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 24, 2024
