By Jen Baylon

No cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been recorded in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City in the first two months of 2024, despite the locality has not yet been declared free of the hog disease, Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said yesterday.

Nine confirmed ASF cases in Victorias were reported last year.

Benitez said he supports the provincial government’s total ban on hogs and pork products from areas with ASF cases.

He also expressed concerns that allowing the entry of pork byproducts might lead to a resurgence of ASF in the province.

Benitez said the city government provided alternative livelihood options, such as chickens, goats and rabbits, for the affected hog raisers.

At least 96 hog raisers in the city each received P2,000 financial assistance./JB, WDJ