The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) has provided free vitamins, deworming, and other veterinary services to farm animals in the province to ensure their health against the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

The La Union Provincial Information Office (PIO) told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that almost 900 small and large ruminants such as cattle, carabao and goats have benefited from the OPVet’s programs since last March.

“The project initiated by Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David seeks to enhance the health and wellness of farm animals, as the El Niño phenomenon is expected to take a toll on them,” it said.

The common illnesses livestock experience in times of drought are heat stroke and heat stress, the PIO said.

The OPVet is also providing other services such as castration, artificial insemination and estrus synchronization, it added.

Provincial veterinarian Dr. Domingo Bobby Calub III, in a statement, said they are visiting communities to provide technical assistance and capacitate residents on veterinary services.

“Our visits to the communities also enable us to gather primary data on livestock population in each barangay, which shall form part of our digital registry that will be our basis for data-driven animal services in the future,” he said.

He said pet and livestock animals should be hydrated and sheltered in shaded areas.

Ortega-David said this initiative seeks to uphold the livelihood of farmers and livestock industry players to increase their production and sustain food sufficiency in the province. (PNA)