The national government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), has released P1.334 million as indemnification to hog farmers in Valencia, Negros Oriental whose livelihoods were affected by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak last year.

Jaymar Vilos, information officer-designate of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said the amount was released recently to 54 farmers, comprising the first batch of recipients.

“The amount received by each farmer depended on the number of hogs they raised that were culled during the outbreak in West Balabag, Valencia last year,” Vilos said in an interview.

“The DA paid the farmers P5,000 for every hog stamped out, with a maximum amount received by each farmer at P100,000.”

The indemnification for the first batch was based on the old amount stipulated by the DA, regardless of the age of the culled hogs.

Another batch, comprising 22 hog farmers, is set to receive indemnification from the DA soon, but Vilos said it will be done with a different computation based on the DA’s new policy.

Vilos said the local government unit of Valencia also gave P5,000 assistance per hog farmer affected by the ASF outbreak.

Meanwhile, Vilos said no new ASF cases were detected or reported in Negros Oriental since the outbreak in Valencia last year. (PNA)