Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc has promised to continue working with all relevant agencies to assist ASF-affected hog farmers in Ilocos Norte.
“We count on our partners in the Department of Agriculture (DA), in the Municipal Government, and me, on behalf of the province. Tulong-tulong kaming lahat. We will do everything to support and assist you. Mahirap po talaga ngayon with everything happening. Hindi lang ang pandemya but we even have ASF,” he said.
On Wednesday, Governor Manotoc, together with the Provincial ASF Task Force, personally distributed ASF surveillance kits containing pig restrainer vacutainers, bioassay collection paraphernalia, needles and their applicators, disposable caps and gloves, labeling materials, tackle and cooler boxes, Ziplocs, face masks, and alcohol gel packs to ASF-affected barangays in Dingras and Solsona. Power sprayers and hoses are also given.
Additionally, four (4) cattle, five (5) sheep, three (3) goats, and 160 upgraded chicks were dispersed to the said barangays.
In total, almost 150 hog-raisers have been provided with livestock-producing alternatives from the DA and Provincial Government since June 2021.
Moreover, nearly 700 food packs, along with ASF surveillance kits, were distributed to affected hog farmers in Carasi, Dingras, Marcos, Nueva Era, and Solsona, while ASF-hit hog raisers in Banna, Sarrat, and Vintar will receive their shares soon.
At present, reports of pig deaths have led pork prices to drop to Php 125-130 per kilo of live weight, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Source: PGIN-CMO
