CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA)--The Cagayan De Oro City Veterinary Office (CDO-City Vet Office) and Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 urged strong responsible pet ownership as they reaffirmed their commitment in the mitigation and eradication of rabies in Northern Mindanao.
This, in pursuance of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP) and the ultimate goal of ending dog mediated rabies deaths among Filipinos by 2027, and a rabies-free Philippines by 2030.
Aside from government initiatives, both offices agreed that the key to ending rabies in the country starts at a household level and discipline among pet owners, from the provision of proper shelter, food, and training of their pets and down to its medical needs.
In an interview during Talakayan sa PIA, March 31, Dr. Lucien Anthony Acac, head of the CDO-City Veterinary Office shared that before an individual decides to raise a pet, they must discern on why they want it in the first place and must have strong conviction towards raising it, as it is a lifetime commitment.
“Dogs are considered as man’s best friend, just like people, they have feelings too, although they can’t talk, but they can feel happiness, sadness, love, and pain,” he said.
Meanwhile, despite the retardation of government services and programs due to COVID-19, Dr. Oryza Kristy B. Baylo of the Department of Agriculture (DA-RFO) Agriculture Integrated Laboratory Division, reiterated that their initiatives for the NRPCP have persevered through their walk-in and house to house services.
“We are continuing our program on rabies control in region-10, but admittedly due to COVID-19 there has been a decline in our activities in observance of health protocols such as the stopping of mass vaccination programs,” she added.
According to Baylo, they have observed a decrease of rabies samples submission in their laboratories due to travel restrictions but noted that majority of the samples brought in their laboratory have still turned out ‘positive’.
Acac also echoed Baylo’s findings, disclosing that their set schedule for 2020 and 2021 for mass rabies vaccination activities in barangays were set aside in compliance with COVID-19 health protocols, due to this, their office also opted for house to house visits and walk-in clients as a means to provide rabies vaccination services in the city.
To counter a potential spike, both offices bolstered their information campaigns on rabies education, proper pet care from birth to death, and other pet-health related campaigns to inform pet owners of their new service system alongside working with local government units (LGUs) in conducting digital promotions such as online contests to raise awareness.
In addition to rabies vaccination, the CDO-City Vet Office also offers deworming, consultations, and medicines for pet owners in the city. For interested clients, their office can be contacted at (088) 857 2185.
Rabies Awareness month is held every March in consonance with Executive Order No. 84, s. 1999. (VPSB/PIA10)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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