ASF-hit farmers in Bicol receive over P236M aid from DA

By Ernesto Delgado

MASBATE CITY --- Farmers affected by the African swine fever (ASF) that hit the Bicol region have received P236.5 million in assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA), an official of the agency said on Friday, May 23.

Lovella Guarin, head of the DA Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section, said the DA released the funding under the department’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Inspire) program.

Cover photo credit: DA 5

Guarin said that 43 farmer cooperatives and associations, accredited by the DA, received P5.5 million each.

All funding recipients must construct a biosecurity facility designed to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases on the pig farm, Guarin said at the PIA’s Ugnayan sa Bicol.

On top of the facility are 100 piglets and hog food that can sustain them at different stages of growth, she said.

“Meron na po tayong na-turn over na (We have turned over) 20 biosecurity facilities,” said Guarin, adding that the construction of 23 others is in progress.

She said that Inspire is intended to regain hog population that was lost to the ASF, address the shortage of piglets, give livelihood to previous swine raisers, and ensure ownership and sustainability of the intervention.

“Even if the association’s business is primarily focused on rice farming, it can still take advantage of the Inspire project, provided it has land for a biosecurity facility,” Guarin said in a mix of English and Pilipino.

“Even if the association’s business is primarily focused on rice farming, it can still take advantage of the Inspire project, provided it has land for a biosecurity facility,” Guarin said in a mix of English and Pilipino.

She said that hog production in Bicol is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, highlighting the progress made by the swine industry despite the lingering effects of the ASF outbreak.

Production began to recover last year, with the region generating more than 1.7 million hogs, placing it among the top 10 regions for swine production in the country, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. (PIA Bicol/Masbate)