‘State of calamity to help hog raisers recover from ASF’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Pangilinan has welcomed President Duterte’s signing of Proclamation 1143, declaring a nationwide state of calamity to help hog raisers recover from the effects of the African swine fever (ASF).

Under Proclamation 1143, all government agencies and local government units are urged to mobilize resources to contain and prevent the spread of the ASF. It was signed on May 10 with validity for one year, unless otherwise earlier lifted.

“The declaration will be a legal basis for the government to release funds. If there is no state of calamity, there is no basis to release funds, “ Pangilinan said.

“This is important to increase support and help of the government to hog raisers and contain the ASF. At present, the biggest damage is being felt by the private sector and the hog industry. The government can now step in with additional funding and use the quick response fund of the DA,” he said.

The DA reported that some additional P6-billion budget is needed for the ASF response, but only P2.6 billion is currently available.

Some three million hogs and P100 billion have already been lost to the hog industry due to the ASF.