LINGAYEN -- At least 3,500 dogs in the province of Pangasinan were given anti-rabies vaccines recently.
The Provincial Veterinarian's Office (PVO) are targeting to have more dogs vaccinated.
Provincial Veterinarian Benedicto Perez initially identified nine municipalities with cases of rabies-afflicted dogs, the report of which was submitted to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
These are the municipalities of Mangatarem, Bayambang, Bautista, Alcala,Rosales, Balungao, Umingan, Urbiztondo, and Sto. Tomas.
To keep with the National Rabies Control Program, which calls for Rabies-Free Philippines in year 2020, the PVO has intensified its anti-rabies campaign, the program was launched last July 13. The goal is to give vaccination to at least 80 percent of the total dog population in the province or an average of one dog in each household.
Accordingly, the vaccines administered to the dogs come from the National Government with a counterpart from the province.
Perez said the activity is a concerted effort of the Provincial Government through the PVO, Department of Agriculture, and the local government units.
Vaccination centers will be established in municipalities where there is a scheduled vaccination.
Governor Amado Espino Jr. has instructed the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to coordinate with the agencies aforementioned to further intensify the program.
Provincial Health Officer Ana de Guzman said the PHO will provide data that will help the PVO identify more areas with dogs positive of rabies. (LCMY/Sunnex)