Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. yesterday said that if 400 of the sheep imported by the provincial government from Australia were eaten by wild dogs, that is a sizable loss of about P8 million.

He will ask Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena to appear before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Wednesday to explain the status of the sheep and cattle purchased by the provincial government, Alvarez said.

We should have been informed about the sheep, which costs about P20,000 each, that were killed by the dogs so that moves to solve the problem could have been taken before the deaths reached 400, he said.

Decena yesterday said the provincial government paid P16,000 per ewe and P25,000 per ram that they imported from Australia.

But 705 new lambs were born in Negros to make up for the deaths, he said.

The provincial government had purchased 5,760 sheep from Australia, and 108 cattle and 156 sheep from General Santos in Mindanao, Decena said.

Alvarez said he is summoning Decena to the SP so they can be informed on where the sheep and cattle of the provincial government are and how they have been dispersed.

On Thursday, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Alvarez had approved the purchase of the cattle and sheep, and it is only now that questions are being raised as the political season heats up.

The cattle purchased from General Santos City and the sheep from Australia can all be accounted for, in fact, they have increased in number, the governor added.

Marañon also challenged Alvarez to daily debates on any program implemented by the provincial government that he wishes to question during the political season.

Alvarez denied that his inquiries about the sheep and cattle are politically motivated, and said the proper venue for discussing concerns about provincial government is at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall, not in debates at the lagoon or plaza.

If the governor wants, he can come to the SP, Alvarez said.

Alvarez also said that if he is elected governor, he will not only convert the third floor of the Negros Cyber Center at the Paglaum Sports Complex into a dormitory for students from the towns and cities of Negros occidental, he will provide a space for barangay leaders to sleep in while in Bacolod and allow the Negros Occidental Teachers Federation to return to the building.

The NOTF had occupied the building that had been demolished to give way for the Cyber Center.*CPG

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