By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said that the provincial government will start the distribution of the P2,000 cash assistance to affected hog raisers this week.
Diaz told reporters on Monday that the “cleansing” of the list of the identified beneficiaries delayed the distribution.
“Cleansing the list, amo na ang problema sa local government unit (LGU),” Diaz said.
He pointed out that “ready na kita, ang listahan nga gina-cleansing amo na ang gina plastar ko subong.”
Diaz said that the list is already with the accounting office of the provincial government adding that “once it is approved we go to the LGUs and let the beneficiaries know through the local social welfare development office.”
He said for now the provincial government has allotted P10 million for cash assistance to the affected hog raisers.
But additional cash assistance will be given with the funds to be sourced from the savings of the provincial government.
Earlier, Provincial Social Welfare and Development head Chiqui Gonzales said that hog raisers in the province affected by swine diseases started receiving the P2,000 cash assistance last month.
On top of the list are hog raisers in San Enrique town who were affected the most.
Gonzales said that the swine population of San Enrique town was almost wiped out by various hog diseases.
Around P304,000 has been allocated for 762 hog raisers in San Enrique, she added.
Gonzales further said that all 10 San Enrique barangays were affected.
Hog mortalities reached 2,671 out of a total hog population of 2,692.
She said that the provincial government will be finalizing all the documentary requirements for the distribution of the cash assistance and the scheduling within this week.
Gonzales also said that the initial amount of P4.5 million has been allocated for the initial batch of affected hog raisers identified as recipients.
“This may be just the first tranche, as the payout depends on the available funds,” she pointed out.
Gonzales said that based on their inventory, only 2,250 hog raisers affected by various swine illnesses can receive cash assistance from the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
As of the July 31 report of the Provincial Animal Biosecurity Incident Management Team, a total of 4,251 hog raisers were affected by various swine diseases.
Pig deaths were logged at 17,755, while damage to the hog industry was valued at P198,879,325.
