BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — Hograisers in Borongan who suffered losses due to African Swine Fever (ASF) but were not covered by insurance through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will soon receive compensation under the national indemnification program of the government.
This announcement comes after Borongan City, the capital of Eastern Samar, confirmed its first three positive cases of ASF, marking the city’s initial encounter with the highly contagious swine disease.
Dr. Melanie Osita, the ASF provincial focal person and assistant head of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), said the initiative aims to provide much-needed relief to local hog raisers within ASF “ground zero” — a 0.5-kilometer radius from the affected demo farm at Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan.
“Parauma nga waray insurance ha PCIC pero naapektuhan han ASF, eligible hira ha indemnification, basta an ira mga baktin napailarom ha culling,” Dr. Osita added.
(Farmers who do not have insurance with the PCIC but were affected by ASF are eligible for indemnification as long as their pigs were subjected to culling.)
The indemnity ranges from P4,000 for young pigs (30 to 90 days old, under 25kg), to P8,000 for growers (up to 70kg), and P16,000 for breeders and boars, depending on the type and size of the pig culled.
However, Osita stressed that only farmers who did not insure their livestock under PCIC are eligible, citing government policy against double compensation.
The impact of this policy reaches beyond financial recovery. Authorities hope the measure will help control the spread of ASF by encouraging farmers to report symptoms early and avoid illegal slaughtering or concealment of infected animals.
“Diri la ini bulig pinansyal, bulig ini ha pagpugong han mas haluag nga kadaot. Ginkikinahanglan an kooperasyon han ngatanan nga parauma,” Osita emphasized.
(This is not just financial assistance; it also helps prevent wider damage. The cooperation of all farmers is needed.)
Osita added the City Veterinary Office will serve as the program’s main implementing arm, with technical support from the Provincial Veterinary Office, which will assist in geotagging affected areas and marking the 500-meter buffer zone for disease containment.
She also offered advice to swine raisers saying, “Kon may baboy kamo nga nakikitaan na hin sintomas — diri nakaon, may pantal-pantal — ayaw na pag-ihawa. I-report dayon ha aton mga city o provincial vets. Diri angay kahadlokan an gobyerno. Bulig ini, diri multa.”
(If you have pigs showing symptoms — not eating, with rashes — do not slaughter them. Report them immediately to our city or provincial vets. There’s no need to fear the government. This is help, not punishment.)
As local hog raisers prepare for recovery, this indemnification package stands as a testament to the government’s effort to balance disease control with farmer welfare ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against ASF. (VTG/PIA Eastern Samar)
