Hog raisers in the province of Ilocos Norte who were affected by the African swine fever (ASF) continue to receive aid from the government.

A team from the Provincial ASF Task Force led by Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela was in Solsona town on Wednesday to distribute ASF test kits and turned over livelihood assistance to several backyard hog raisers to compensate for their losses.

This is the second batch of livelihood assistance delivered in Solsona town covering the ASF-hit barangays of Santa Ana, Talugtog, and San Juan.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA), at least four heads of cow, five sheep, three goats, and 160 chicks were given to the beneficiaries as their hogs were culled to prevent the further spread of the virus.

During the livestock distribution program, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc thanked the DA Regional Office and the Ilocos Norte ASF Task Force for being in the frontline of assisting the affected hog raisers.

“I hope this will help you as we are not just in a (Covid-19) pandemic but also because of ASF,” said Manotoc.

In Ilocos Region, the DA has allocated PHP110 million ASF indemnification fund to assist 3,459 hog raisers for the culling of 21,843 swine due to ASF.

Record shows La Union will get the biggest chunk of the indemnification fund with PHP48.15 million, while Ilocos Sur anticipates around PHPP32 million to benefit a total of 995 hog raisers.

The provinces of Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte will also get a total of PHP28.89 million to compensate 932 affected hog raisers in both provinces. (PNA)