DBM to release P187 million for swine deaths

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management will release P187 million initially requested by the Department of Agriculture to address rising swine deaths believed to be caused by African swine fever.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado vowed to release the amount possibly by the first week of September.

“I talked with the DBM secretary and he told me he will release it now. Of course, we will be asking for more as we feel it is necessary but we don’t know yet as to how much,” Dar told reporters on the sidelines of the DA 2020 budget hearing yesterday.

“Secretary Avisado is very kind and he believes in the program of the President that the problems of those involved in the agriculture sector should be addressed,” he added.

A portion of the P187 million is being eyed for indemnifying affected farmers who had to cull their pigs that were feared to be infected with African swine fever.

Bureau of Animal Industry director Ronnie Domingo emphasized that the request for the P187-million budget was made before the incident of swine deaths began last week.

“We already requested for that because exotic diseases or what we call trans-boundary animal diseases are already increasing. So instead of being reactive, we want to be proactive in our responses,” Domingo said at the same hearing.

DA and BAI will also use part of the amount to develop or buy diagnostic kits to be used for surveillance. The allocation will also be used to pay the salaries of additional manpower to be mobilized.

“We also have minimal number of equipment that we will purchase including 20 units of x-ray machines for our airports. We also need supplies for disinfection if there will be an outbreak, among others,” Domingo said.

He also said he supports Dar’s plan to tweak a portion of the budget for paying affected farmers.