44 ASF-affected hog raisers in Kalinga get financial aid

By Peter A. Balocnit

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- The Dept. of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region gave funds to 44  hog raisers in the province whose animals were  affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) last year.
    Thirteen families here in Barangay Talalang, whose pigs died or their piggery depopulated due to the ASF recently received from DA-CAR P5, 000 cash assistance for every pig affected.
    Municipal Agriculturist Anita Caldingon said a total of P165, 000 was distributed by the ASF Task Force to affected hog raisers to help them cope with their losses by using the assistance for other alternative livelihood activities.
    She said the Balbalan local government unit earlier provided cash assistance to these families of P2, 000 per swine that died from ASF.
    The DA-CAR also gave funds to 31 hog raisers affected by ASF from eight barangays in Tabuk City: Malalao, Agbannawag, Tuga, Cabaritan, Lucog, San Julian, Bagumbayan and Bulanao. Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. Carmen Wanas said the ASF-affected livestock of these hog raisers were subjected to  culling by the City Veterinary Services Office.
    Wanas said those who violated protocols on disposal  of  infected and dead swine and buried the animals instead      were  disqualified for the assistance.
      Around 153 hogs were culled in 2020.  
    The maximum assistance a hog raiser can get is P100, 000 regardless of    the number of hogs culled, Wanas said. – PIA Kalinga