DA allots P60M for loans to affected hog raisers

MANILA, Philippines–To help hog raisers affected by African swine fever (ASF) recover from their losses, the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) announced on Friday that it had allotted P60 million for loans to these farmers.

The zero-interest loan amounting to P30,000 will be extended to each hog farmer, payable in three years, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said at a press briefing.

“They can use the loan to buy any inputs they need for their livelihood activities—so not just hogs, but even chickens,” Dar said. “We repurposed ACPC funds to extend support to our hog raisers.”

The DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry received earlier this month P82.5 million from the Department of Budget and Management for preventive measures against ASF. —ANNELLE TAYAO-JUEGO