By Leilanie Adriano | Philippine News Agency
Ilocos Norte’s provincial government on Tuesday assured that farmers affected by the African swine fever (ASF) would get livelihood and food aid from the government.
Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said at least five local government units in the province have been hit by ASF anew.
The latest outbreak began in San Nicolas town and moved to Batac, Dingras, Piddig, and Laoag.
“We will take care of the affected (hog raisers) by giving them alternative livelihood and food aid,” he said during a media interview, appealing to the affected hog raisers to cooperate with the government and help address the problem.
As of this posting, the Provincial Veterinary Office said surveillance operations are ongoing in the affected areas while culling operations are being implemented within the 500-meter radius of the affected farms.
Previously, ASF was recorded in 16 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte—the cities of Laoag and Batac, and the towns of Pinili, Dumalneg, Bacarra, Nueva Era, San Nicolas, Burgos, Piddig, Sarrat, Vintar, Banna, Dingras, Marcos, Carasi, and Solsona.
These LGUs comprise more than half of the province.
While monitoring and contact tracing continue to determine the extent of the damage to the hog industry, Manotoc urged the affected hog raisers not to hide their issues.
“There is no point in hiding. It will only prolong the problem. So, let us be honest and let us secure our farms to protect our hog industry,” he said.
Provincial veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela said in an interview that based on the latest production inventory of local government units, pork supply in the province remains stable despite the continuing threat of ASF.
“We have a stable supply of pork in the province with 627 heads as of this morning, [of] all ages. Laoag slaughters 150 to 160 per day,” she said.
She also reiterated the need for all hog raisers to implement biosecurity protocols to prevent the further spread of the virus.
