There were 3,421 farm animals, the majority chickens, that died following Kanlaon Volcano’s expulsion of ash and sulfur, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported Monday, June 24.
The affected areas were Bago and La Carlota cities where 3,210 chickens, 72 pigs, 16 cattle, 47 carabaos and 73 goats and sheep died, the report said.
The estimated value of the farm animals was P374, 200, the PVO report added.
They have been conducting medical missions to help treat sick animals, and to distribute medicine, vitamins and feeds, Dr. Ryan Janoya, PVO officer-in-charge, said.
Two weeks after Kanlaon Volcano erupted the animals began suffering from respiratory illness caused by the ash fall, Janoya said.
Cows, carabaos and goats that were left behind in the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone when Kanlaon erupted suffered burns from debris from the volcano, he also said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Board Member Jeffrey Tubola led the ceremonial turnover of livestock and poultry projects to animal raisers from various LGUs in Negros Occidental at the Capitol grounds Monday morning.
The Animal Dispersal Project is under the Provincial Swine Industry Recovery Initiatives and Animal Genetic Improvement and Livelihood Programs of the PVO.
The dispersal is part of the swine industry recovery and repopulation initiatives of the province, Janoya said.
Lacson encouraged swine raisers to promote the adoption of artificial insemination in swine breeding to produce healthy swine and avoid the risk of trans boundary animal diseases.*