ASSISTANCE. Hog raisers in Ilocos Norte receive recovery aid from the provincial government in this undated photo. Over PHP5 million were allotted to assist them. (Photo courtesy of the province of Ilocos Norte) LAOAG CITY - At least 230 hog raisers from Ilocos Norte province who were previously hit by the African swine fever (ASF) have received recovery aid courtesy of the provincial government. Provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela confirmed this on Thursday, saying that the beneficiaries included those not covered by insurance packages from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. "The latest beneficiaries were from Laoag City, Batac City, Banna, Solsona, San Nicolas, Paoay, Marcos and Vintar," said Valenzuela, adding that this is now the fourth batch of distribution of recovery aid to hog raisers. The hog raisers received cash ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP100,000 depending on the number of hogs affected with others also getting food packs and vegetable seeds. Apart fr
REPOPULATION. Ilocos Norte prepares for its repopulation program after African swine fever-hit farms start recovering. Only three municipalities remain under the "red (infected) zone." (File photo courtesy of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte) LAOAG CITY - The Provincial Veterinary Office in Ilocos Norte announced Friday that some of the municipalities previously affected by the African swine fever (ASF) have been upgraded to "pink (buffer) zones." Of the 16 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte that were previously affected by the ASF, only three remain under the "red (infected) zones," said provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela. These are the towns of Banna, Piddig, and Bangui. "We just finished testing samples for our surveillance," said Valenzuela, as she noted the towns of Pinili and Dumalneg as among those that have been upgraded to pink zones. Previously, ASF had spread to 16 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte, namely, the cities of La