The culling of swine affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) in Barangay Inayangan in Calinan District is expected to be completed early this week as the government also assured the affected farmers of support after the City Council approved the P32.2 million budget cash aid.
ASF has already caused the deaths of 20 pigs in Inayangan.
Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, the head of the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO), said on Monday that her office has so far culled half of the swine raised in five puroks of Inayangan. Around 900 pigs in the said five puroks have been inventoried, Pinili said, adding that the areas affected will be appropriately disinfected to prevent the spread of the disease that has also affected two other barangays of Calinan — Lamanan and Dominga.
“The farmers will disinfect their areas on a daily basis, this will go on for an entire month,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Council last week approved the release of P32.2 million to be used to indemnify affected hog raisers in Calinan. The money was allocated from Davao City’s Quick Response Fund (QRF).
Pinili said her office would immediately release the monetary assistance before they start culling the pigs.
“After they turned over their swine, we will give them the money. The instruction of Mayor Sara (Duterte) is to immediately release the money so that the farmers can use it,” she said.
Pinili said that although only five puroks will be covered by the culling, the Disaster Council decided to ask for the financial assistance for the entire barangay in case another case of ASF hits the area. CIO
