ASF cases found in 6 P’sinan towns

By Liezle Basa Inigo

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan  -- Assistant Provincial Veterinarian Jovito Tabarejos said active cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were found in six municipalities of Pangasinan.

These are the municipalities of Mabini, Agno, Dasol Umingan, Tayug,and Natividad.

A total of 33 municipalities have confirmed cases of ASF.

Tabarejos and Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya assured hog raisers of support from the provincial government led by Governor Amado I. Espino III.

Tabajeros said the provincial government granted P2.5-million financial assistance to 323 hog owners in Mangaldan as well as in Bugallon and Lingayen.

The provincial government will also turnover financial assistance to other hog owners from Basista on September 15, Binmaley on September 17, Calasiao on September 22, Malasiqui on September 24, San Carlos City on September 29, and Sual on October 1.

The Department of Agriculture compensates a maximum of 20 hogs per owner at P5,000 per hog while the province compensates P1,000 per head.

Tabarejos said swine raisers affected by the ASF can qualify for compensation provided that they show certifications from the municipal agriculturist.

“Ang certification po ay manggagaling sa mga municipal agriculturist at sila rin ang gumagawa ng master list ng babayaran ng Department of Agriculture duly signed by the barangay captain, the municipal mayor, and the provincial veterinarian,” he said.

Moya added that hog raisers who are also farmers and/or members of farmers and fisherfolks groups are entitled to receive palay seeds and other forms of assistance from the provincial government.