MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking for fund sources to address the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the country’s hog industry.
Specifically, the DA needs up to P27 billion for its hog recovery program, according to Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
This year alone, the DA requires an additional P6.6 billion for the repopulation of hogs.
Since the ASF outbreak began in 2019, the country has already lost over three million heads of pigs, Dar noted.
The DA is expecting an amount from the Bayanihan 3 but since the government has declared a state of calamity due to ASF, the agency is expecting an additional source of funds for the program.
“Kung may resource kami na pwede naming i-realign ito po ay pwede nang gagawin dito po sa under the state of calamity,” Dar noted.
Secretary Dar said it would take about three years before the country achieves the average number of hogs as before and it will need an overall budget of P27 billion.
Also part of the hog recovery program is funding ASF test kits and the procurement of a potential vaccine against ASF that is currently under clinical trial. MNP (with reports from Rey Pelayo)
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