DA Reveals They Lack Funds To Compensate For Pig Deaths
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) – The DA has admitted that they lack the funds to help hog raisers cover for their losses.
In the past weeks hog raisers have suffered greatly from the African Swine Fever (AFS). Their hogs were either lost to AFS or were forced to cull their hogs to contain the virus.
However, Agriculture Secretary William Dar stated that his department could only provide loans for them. This does not include reimbursement for pigs that died or was culled.
According to Philstar, Dar said that at this point, the funds of the DA is not enough to give hog raisers indemnification. This is the actual value of the pigs.
He also added that they had made a projected level of investments for that purpose. However, Dar stated that so much is needed.
Dar also said that they would need billions and billions of pesos. He then said that they could not shoulder the price of every pig that is being depopulated.
As of the moment, the DA is handing out P3,000 to affected hog raisers. But in actuality, the average market value for the hogs could go up to P10,000.
To alleviate some of the damage, Dar stated that what they can do is lend hog raisers P30,000 in assistance. This would have zero interest and is payable in three years, he added.
During this time, Dar stated that there are around 15,000 hogs affected. This already included areas that are under quarantine.
However, Dar stressed that the number is only 0.0003 percent of the total population of 12.8 million hogs. With this, the DA still continues to coordinate with authorities to contain the virus.
As the virus is still prevalent in the country, the DA would continue to monitor the issue. Adding to this, Dar stated that “A threat to food security is also a threat to national security”.
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