By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

More than 4,000 hog raisers in Negros Occidental affected by the recent hog mortalities will receive financial aid from the provincial government.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is already finalizing the list of affected hog raisers who will receive financial assistance of P2,000 in the first or second week of July, or before the start of the election period.

The Capitol has allocated a P10 million budget for affected hog raisers.

Diaz said the assistance will be given to hog raisers who have been adhering to the province’s biosafety protocols against African swine fever and hog cholera.

The latest PVO data showed losses from swine mortalities have already exceeded P166 million.

At least 144 barangays in 18 local government units have been affected./DGB, WDJ