SAN CARLOS CITY -- The City Veterinary Office is conducting citywide anti-rabies campaign pursuant to an ordinance on protection of humans and animals from rabies infection.
City Ordinance No. 35-09 (the protection of humans and animals in the City of San Carlos from rabies infection) is relative to Rabies Act of 2007.
City Veterinarian Solomon Gabuyan said they have finished campaigning in 26 barangays and have scheduled anti-rabies mass vaccination of dogs in the remaining 60 barangays.
The city veterinarian’s office, which is under the Office of City Agriculturist Estrellita Cabansag, is also being supported by the Provincial Veterinary Office, and the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Ilocos also provides free rabies vaccines, disposable syringes, posters, and brochures.
Gabuyan said the four-day vaccination campaign will start on August 31 until September 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the respective barangay halls or other sites to be identified by the barangay captains.
The schedules are as follows:
* August 31 at Barangays Tandang Sora, PNR Site, Mabini, Lucban, Bonifacio, Burgos-Padlan, Bugallon-Posadas, Padilla-Gomez, Palaris, M. Soriano, Perez, and Longos
* September 1 at Barangays Bega, Tarece, Lilimasan, Ano, Matagdem, Nelintap,Doyong, Inerangan, Bolingit, Cruz, Balayong, and Manzon
* September 2 at Coliling, Sapinit, Cobol, Turac, Balite Sur, Palospos, Magtaking, Paitan-Panoypoy, San Pedro, Caingal, Bolosan, and Bacnar
* September 3 at Barangays San Juan, Mestizo Norte, Tebag, Libas, Anando, Caoayan Kiling, Calobaoan, Supo, Tamayo, Payar, Tayambani, Talang, Isla, Cacaritan, Tandoc, Parayao, Gamata, Balaya, Balococ, Pangoloan, Pangpang, Pangalangan, Calomboyan, and Rizal Avenue.
As stated in Section 4 of the Rabies Act of 2007, the rabies prevention and control program is a multi-sectoral/agency effort.
As such, the activities to be undertaken include: (1) mass vaccination of dogs; (2) establishment of a central database system for registered and vaccinated dogs; (3) impounding, field control and disposition of unregistered, stray and unvaccinated dogs; (4) conduct of information and education campaign on the prevention and control of rabies; (5) provision on pre-exposure treatment to high risk personnel and Post Exposure Treatment to animal bite victims; (6) provision of free routine immunization or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis of schoolchildren aged five to fourteen in areas where there is high incidence of rabies as well as the (7) encouragement of the practice of responsible pet ownership.
This will be implemented by the local government units, DA, the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Education. (Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre)