Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, Philippines are readying financial assistance as well as insurance benefits for hog raisers affected by the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) and hog cholera.

The city government has put aside PHP10 million (US$180,000) as cash indemnification for backyard raisers affected by ASF, while those in Bago City are eligible for a share of PHP16 million (US$285,000) in cash aid, as approved by its city council.

According to a report from the Philippine News Agency, cases of ASF have already been detected in at least two villages in Bacolod, the provincial capital. Committee on appropriation and finance councillor Jude Thaddeus Sayson urged affected hog raisers to have their pigs registered with their respective communities, and that they will offer compensation for those that will be culled.

In Bago City, a total of 1,752 swine deaths have already been recorded for 234 hog raisers, equivalent to losses of PHP20.46 million (US$364,000). Victorias City, which recorded nine cases, has better coverage for insurance as 90% of its 1,584 hog population are insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

Elsewhere in the country, the gutted historic Philippine Post Office building was revealed to be insured for PHP604 million (US$11 million).

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