TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – Since Nov. 24, 2024, some P4,137,000 have been distributed to 417 households here whose animals were among those depopulated to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) that has hit nine barangays in five towns.
The amount represents the 1,207 heads of hogs that have been depopulated 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, authorities shall do a mandatory test and destruction as well as swine depopulation within the vicinity of a confirmed ASF case.
The provincial government has set aside funds to help alleviate production losses and encourage animal farmers to promptly report cases of animal disease to allow authorities to quickly set up control points.
Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has issued Executive Order No 37-A, series of 2023, providing P2 million from the funds of the Office of Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) and another P2 million from the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) 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 allocated funds, hog growers in San Miguel town, which saw two barangays affected and 624 hogs depopulated, hog growers are entitled to P2.332 million cash assistance from the provincial government.
If the farmers had their hogs insured through the Philippine Crop InsuranceCorporation, they could still get more help.
OPV also 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 losses in the culled animals.
Batuan town, on the other hand, which also had two barangays affected by the animal disease, reported 352 swine heads culled after infections were noted within the 100-meter vicinity.
With that, 71 animal farmer families are entitled to 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 had to continue blood sampling and surveillance.
In Ubay, 40 households are 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, namely: Nueva Vida Norte and Buenos Aires.
A total of 59 heads of swine have been culled, with more depopulations expected within the next few days, affecting 11 households.
These animal farmers could receive P64,000, with Buenos Aires still in the process of completing their papers for the cash aid. (RAHC/PIA Bohol)
