The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO I) through the Regulatory Division distributed a total of 21 cattle yearlings, five (5) heifer and one (1) junior bull worth Php 879,175.00 to 21 hog raisers from Mapandan, Pangasinan as part of DA’s indemnification to hog raisers affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the region.

The Province of Pangasinan is among the provinces hardly hit by the ASF virus with a total of 1,196 hog raisers who sufferred great loss on their incomes with the strict implementation of the 1-7-10 protocol by DA in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

According to Regulatory Division Chief, Dr. Florentino Adame, the program aims to support the affected backyard hog raisers and to encourage them to continue engaging in other livestock ventures to sustain the animal production in the region.

“The effect of ASF in the socio-economic conditions of farmers worsened when the COVID – 19 pandemic came about that is why there is a vital need for government intervention through the provision of cattle to ASF-affected farmers to supplement their livelihood,” Dr. Adame added.

The cattle distributed were branded with ASF as it is more permanent than ear tags for proper identity and security.##