• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 1,213 hogs in Negros Occidental died from various illnesses within a one-month period, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II.
It has not yet been determined whether all the reported deaths, recorded between May 22 and June 20, were caused by African Swine Fever (ASF).
Mayor Jilson Tubillara earlier confirmed that about 500 pigs died in San Enrique, where ASF was detected based on laboratory results.
Diaz said livestock losses are estimated at around P14.46 million, posing a significant setback to the province’s hog industry.
Based on provincial records, Negros Occidental currently has a total hog population of 29,880.
Authorities are urging hog raisers to maintain strict biosecurity measures to prevent the possible spread of diseases affecting swine. | GPB
