ASF is not yet over, NegOcc guv says

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the African swine fever (ASF) is far from eliminated even if swine mortality in the province has gone down from 3-digit figures to a single digit.

“Well, that is the first time we have a single digit in swine mortality but it’s not over,  it is still there but at least it’s just telling us that the protocol we are doing is working,” Lacson told reporters in a press briefing on Thursday.

He further said that “the protocol we are following helped reduce mortality.”

“We manage to reduce mortality from 3-digit (numbers) to a single digit,” Lacson said.

The governor also said that the provincial government will continue to extend assistance to affected hog raisers.

“My instruction is very clear naman as long as we can source out additional funds, we will do it,” he further said.

Lacson said he talked with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer regarding the delay in the release of assistance to hog raisers.

He said that the distribution of cash assistance to affected hog raisers will start with San Enrique town.

The governor said there was a delay because the local DSWDO had to double check “as there were some names that are not even here anymore, that is why we have to send it back and now they have given the corrected list.”

Lacson reiterated that “as long as there are funds we can source out and not needed for other requirements we will continuously help our hog raisers.”

Earlier, provincial Social Welfare and Development head Chiqui Gonzales said that hog raisers in the province affected by swine diseases can start receiving the P2,000 cash assistance next week.

On top of the list are hog raisers in San Enrique town who were affected the most.

Gonzales said that the swine population of San Enrique town was almost wiped out by various hog diseases.

The amount of P304,000 has been allocated for 762 hog raisers in San Enrique, she added.