- GILBERT BAYORAN
Damage to the hog industry in Negros Occidental has risen further to P107.2 million, as 9,268 pigs died of hog cholera and other swine diseases, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported.
The number of barangays in 14 local government units in Negros Occidental affected by hog cholera and other diseases also increased to 120 as of June 2, with Barangay Mabini in Pulupandan placed under isolation following the detection of an ASF case.
Hogs within the ground zero up to the 500-meter radius were also culled, as per orders of Mayor Miguel Peña, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
Lacson, however, maintained that Negros Occidental is still a green zone for African swine fever, as it has not been declared a red zone for ASF since only one pig in Brgy. Mabini, Pulupandan tested positive for the deadly virus.
The dead hogs, as reported by the PVO, represented 8.54 percent of the total population of pigs in Negros Occidental.
The local government units of San Enrique and Bago City, where thousands of hogs died, are giving financial aid to affected raisers, while the provincial government is facilitating the release of P4 million in assistance to selected hog raisers, through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
ASF cases were also reported in two barangays of Bacolod City.
Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, admitted that the detection of ASF in Bacolod City has affected the shipment of pigs from Negros Occidental to other parts of the country.
“There are reports that some people are lobbying against the loading of pigs from Negros Occidental on vessels for shipment to other areas,” Diaz said.
Cebu has again banned the entry of live pigs and pork related products into the province from Negros Island.
ASF cases were also detected in two Negros Oriental towns./GB
