(Photo courtesy of Department of Agriculture – Region 12)
COTABATO CITY – The North Cotabato provincial veterinary office has depopulated a total of 2,516 hogs, owned by 575 raisers, to contain the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco said the ASF has infected the hog industry in 22 villages in four towns of the province and in Kidapawan City.
The latest culling was done in Barangay Salasang, Arakan, North Cotabato on Thursday.
Catamco said her office is fast-tracking the submission of documentary requirements to the Department of Agriculture for financial aid.
DA-12 director Arlan Mangelen said owners of culled hogs would get PHP5,000 for each swine as financial assistance from their office.
The provincial government also grants financial aid of PHP2,000 per head and additional PHP2,000 from the local government unit.
“All in all, a hog raiser get PHP9,000 for each of the culled hogs,” Catamco said.
The governor also vowed to protect the hog industry and prevent the ASF from further spreading to other areas in the province.
“I urge everyone to refrain from bringing in processed food from areas infected with ASF to help contain its spread,” Catamco said.
On Tuesday, Catamco signed an executive order that created the Provincial Council for Priority Development Response that would draft policies and programs involving food security responses, healthcare response, local economy strengthening response, and shelter/housing response.
Catamco also signed Executive Order No. 77 creating the Provincial ASF Team to help the provincial government come up with comprehensive programs to put an end to hog infections. (PNA)
