By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) confirmed yesterday that the financial assistance for local hog raisers affected by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak last year is now ready for distribution.

PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana said she held a meeting with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office recently.

Lemana was informed that the cash aid is now available for distribution to seven barangays in San Enrique town, 25 villages in Valladolid town and one village in Ilog town.

Several villages in Hinigaran town are also included, she said.

The provincial government has allocated a total of P2.5 million for the aid.

The affected hog raisers will receive P2,000 each, according to Lemana.

However, she noted that some villages have not yet complied with the requirements for the assistance.

It can be recalled that the turnover of cash aid to affected hog raisers was delayed due to the ban on assistance distribution during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last year.

The provincial government also provided other forms of assistance to alleviate the challenges faced by local hog raisers and boost the pork supply in the province./DGB, WDJ