Farm animals in Negros dying due to cold spell, local vet says

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental—The unusual cold experienced in 12 towns and cities in Negros Occidental has caused the death of 113 farm animals worth a total of P912,290, provincial veterinarian Renante Decena said Monday.

Temperatures ranged from 16 to 20 Celsius with windy and rainy conditions, Decena said.

The unusual cold from January 2 to 27  caused the deaths of seven cattle, three carabaos, 38 pigs, 49 sheep, nine goats and eight poultry in 24 barangays in 12 towns and cities, he said.

The areas affected were  Sagay, Sipalay, Himamaylan, Cadiz and La Carlota cities; and the towns of Salvador Benedicto, Toboso, Valladolid, San Enrique, Murcia, Manapla and Moises Padilla.

Decena said his office has mobilized para-veterinarians to provide technical assistance and medicines in affected areas.

Most of the dead were backyard farm animals belonging to small farmers.

The highest fatalities were recorded in Murcia town with 41 (37 sheep and 4 pigs).

Don Salvador Benedicto town, which is known for its cool weather throughout the year, had 16 deaths (two carabaos, three goats, a cow, five pigs and five game fowl), in nine barangays, Decena said.

In Barangay Maricalum in Sipalay City, 16 piglets also died, while in Sagay City there were 10 deaths (five sheep and five goats).

In Valladolid town, seven sheep died in three barangays, while in Toboso, four piglets died in Barangay Bug-ang.

The deaths in Cadiz City were four piglets; while in Manapla town, one sheep, a cattle, a carabao and a goat died.

The other deaths were four cattle in Moises Padilla, three sheep in La Carlota City, two chickens and a fighting cock in San Enrique town and a piglet in Himamaylan City.