Bacolod City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is expected to start the distribution of financial aid to hog raisers affected by the African Swine Fever and hog cholera diseases in Ilog this month.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz over-the-weekend said that documentary requirements seem to have been delaying the release of cash assistance to affected hog raisers in the province.
Diaz disclosed that the funds for the cash assistance have been available for some time now.
“It’s up to the concerned local government units and beneficiaries to comply with the documentary requirements being required by the Commission on Audit and the Provincial Accounting Office,” he added.
The provincial government is giving P2,000 per family whose hogs were hit by ASF and other swine diseases.
While the needed documents have already been processed, Diaz, however, said that the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is making sure that there will be no problem during the liquidation of the cash advances.
What we want is to release the cash assistance not later than December, Diaz said, noting also that the municipality of Ilog is “the most prepared.”
On the other hand, Diaz and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana yesterday led ceremonial entrustment of feeder cattle under the Provincial Government’s Cattle Fattening Program, which is an alternative livelihood for animal raisers in crisis.
The program aims to provide alternative livelihood or source of additional family income to hog raisers affected by natural disasters and calamities, particularly the recent incidence of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) such as ASF and hog cholera.
The recipients are 31 animal raisers in Murcia, E.B. Magalona, Bago City, Valladolid, Pontevedra, San Enrique, La Carlota City, Moises Padilla, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, and La Castellana.
Under the said program, the Feeder Cattle, to be sourced from the Negros First Ranch and Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm, will be provided to qualified recipients.
The cattle will be fattened to the desired weight of at least 100 kilograms and will be sold on a live-weight basis. The recipients will then be entitled to receive a share of the proceeds. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)