July 23, 2020

Philippines gives over US$75,000 cash assistance Ifugao swine farmers

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture - Cordillera (DA-CAR) has released PHP3.73 million (US$75,598) cash aid through the Regulatory Division to the 98 swine raisers in the province, Manila Bulletin reported.

This is to compensate for the losses of hog raisers from the towns of Lagawe, Asipulo, Hingyon, Kiangan and Banaue where 746 swine were culled from January to February 2020. The DA paid PHP5,000 for every head culled, however, there should be a maximum of only 20 pigs maximum per owner.

Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, leads the distribution of cash assistance, expressed his gratitude to President Duterte for the assistance during this time of COVID-19 and ASF.

Dalipog said, "Everyone doesn't like to be affected by this ASF but we are still thankful to the government because they are giving such assistance for us to start again."

He said this help will restart the livestock business because in Ifugao hog is one of their main source of income.

Based on the DA Administrative Order No. 14 Series of 2019 grants cash assistance to affected ASF affected farms to alleviate production losses and encourage early reporting of actual or suspected animal disease to prevent further spread of the virus.