On April 22, DA-10 releases a total of P14.67 million indemnification fund to 575 African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected hog raisers from barangay Pugaan, Iligan City.

 

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) released a total of P14.67 million indemnification fund to 575 African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected hog raisers from barangay Pugaan, Iligan City.

Juliet B. Araos, DA-10 Regulatory Division chief shared, that a total of 2,934 hogs were culled, where hog raisers received P5,000 per culled hog.

“We hope that the barangay would return to being a green [ASF-free] zone,” said Araos, adding that said cash assistance seeks to encourage hog raisers to engage into alternative livelihood for the time being.

DA-10 ASF Focal Person, Dr. Julesben Caesar Maquiling stated, that the agency and the city local government unit continues to strengthen its biosecurity measures to ensure the recovery and rehabilitation for the barangay.

The first confirmed ASF case in Region 10 was recorded in November 2020, of said barangay.

On receiving the assistance, hog raiser Romeo Camanse expressed, “This is a big help in terms of livelihood. For now, I will use the money to cultivate my crops. I will also be shifting to goat and chicken raising for the meantime.”

DA -10 under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado continues its call for the public to observe biosecurity protocols such as stepping in animal quarantine footbaths; refraining from bringing pork and its by-products from ASF-affected areas; and avoiding the practice of swill feeding to curb the spread of the virus. # (AMBManto, DA-10)