By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government is targeting to complete the release of financial assistance for local hog raisers affected by hog mortalities before the year ends.

Chiqui Gonzales, provincial social welfare and development officer, said there are challenges in delivering the assistance due to the election ban period.

Gonzales said the financial aid process for qualified hog raisers is similar to regular financial assistance, which requires barangay indigency certification for beneficiaries.

She clarified that once hog raisers are identified, assessed and validated by the Provincial Veterinary Office, they are eligible for provincial financial assistance pending the necessary pre-audit documents.

With an allocated P2.5 million fund, more than 2,000 hog farmers in Negros Occidental will receive the assistance.

The provincial government also plans to provide other forms of assistance to alleviate the challenges faced by hog raisers and to boost the hog supply in the province.

Thousands of local hog raisers were affected due to an outbreak of hog cholera and African swine fever earlier this year.

The situation is now under control, and the province is now preparing to conduct hog sentinelling program./DGB, WDJ