By Mary Judaline Partlow

CULLED. Agriculture technicians in hazmats collect African swine fever-infected pigs from farms in Negros Oriental in this undated photo. The Provincial Veterinary Office said 227 hog farmers from Bais City and Manjuyod in Negros Oriental have qualified for government indemnification for their pigs culled during ASF outbreaks. (PNA file photo courtesy of PVO Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in Negros Oriental said on Monday that 227 hog farmers who were affected by African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks have qualified for government indemnification.

Jaymar Vilos, PVO-Negros Oriental information officer, told the Philippine News Agency that these hog farmers are from Bais City (185) and Manjuyod (42), who were validated recently by the Department of Agriculture (DA) after the local government units endorsed them.

“These are the latest batches of farmers who were identified to receive indemnification from the national government to cover their hogs that were culled during ASF outbreaks in their areas in 2023 and 2024,” Vilos said.

The initial batch of hog farmers who received the national government’s financial aid earlier this year numbered 54 from Valencia town.

There are 21 individuals from Valencia who have yet to receive government support.

Vilos said they have written the Department of Agriculture to follow up on the compensation for the remaining Valencia hog farmers.

Each beneficiary will receive PHP5,000 for every pig head culled, regardless of production stage.

Piglets that have not been weaned at the time of the outbreaks are excluded.

Also, hogs that were reported to have died of ASF but were not turned over for culling do not qualify for indemnification, Vilos said. (PNA)