CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — A total of 752 hog raisers from the Oriental Mindoro received financial assistance through the African Swine Fever (ASF) Indemnification Program under the Department of Agriculture (DA) MIMAROPA.
In a press release, the DA said that the total indemnification fund distributed to the beneficiaries amounted to P37,595,000, where each beneficiary received between P5,000 and P100,000, depending on the number of pigs they voluntarily depopulated due to the ASF outbreak in their area. The fund was sourced through the DA’s Quick Response Fund.
Ther distribution of said financial assistance was done on February 11 to 14.
The ASF Indemnification Program aims to assist affected hog raisers in recovering by investing in alternative livelihoods or other sources of income.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support, which will help them restore their livelihood after the severe impact of ASF on their businesses.
“Ang aking pong natanggap na ayuda na galing sa Department of Agriculture ay pasimula sa panibagong hanapbuhay. Maraming salamat po sa ayudang ipinagkaloob ng DA,” said Jovy Abalos from the town of Bansud.
Gina Ramos from Roxas town is also grateful for the assistance, saying “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DA sa financial assistance na malaking tulong at magagamit namin sa aming pangkabuhayan o pagkakakitaan.”
On the other hand, Filomena Caunca, a beneficiary from Gloria town, said “Ito po ay aking gagamitin sa maliit na palaisdaan. Maraming maraming salamat po kahit hindi po namin ito inaasahan, napakalaking tulong po ito sa amin,” while Bonifacio Claveria from Calapan City that he will use the amount received to expand his poulty business.
With the continued support of DA-MIMAROPA, the agency hopes the hog-raising sector in the region will recover, alongside the implementation of stricter biosecurity measures to prevent the further spread of ASF. (ALG/PIA MIMAROPA/With information from the DA MIMAROPA)
