In a significant move to support local agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has disbursed PHP1.334 million to hog farmers in Valencia, Negros Oriental, who suffered losses due to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak last year. The funds were distributed to 54 farmers in the first round of payments, as confirmed by Jaymar Vilos, the information officer-designate from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO). The compensation amount each farmer received was determined by the number of hogs culled during the outbreak in West Balabag, Valencia, with the DA offering PHP5,000 per hog, up to a maximum of PHP100,000 per farmer. This initial batch of payments adhered to the DA’s previous compensation rates, which did not vary with the age of the culled hogs. Looking ahead, another group of 22 farmers is slated to receive payments soon, though these will be calculated under a new DA policy. Additionally, the local government of Valencia has stepped in to provide further assistance, offering PHP5,000 to each affected hog farmer. Vilos also reassured the public that no new ASF cases have been reported in Negros Oriental since the outbreak in Valencia last year.
