Antique Receives Award as Human Rabies Free Province

Iloilo City (PNA) –- The province of Antique was awarded as Human Rabies Free province together with the city of Iloilo for the city category during the Regional Awarding of the Department of Health (DOH) partners and stakeholders March 31 at Sarabia Manor Hotel here.

The award was handed by DOH Regional Director Marlyn W. Convocar with Assistant Regional Director Ma. Paz P. Corrales to Antique Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo.

Dr. Naciongayo, in an interview right after the awarding, said that Antique has been Human Rabies Free for three consecutive years because of Responsible Pet Ownership, which greatly helped prevent rabies infection, by the residents. There is also an ordinance passed on this.

He said that together with the Provincial Veterinary Office, they intensified their information education campaign (IEC) among pet owners. The province also was recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the past five years that enabled the province to have mass dog vaccination.

”The people no longer tend to go to ‘tanduk’ for there is presence of Animal Bite centers in the hospitals,” Dr. Naciongayo said. The mayors also allocate funds to financially help dog bite victims and for dog immunization. The Antique provincial government has also aided individuals in crisis situation.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Councilor Joshua Alim said that the city also is human rabies free for more than three years. He said that the city council has passed an ordinance to effectively and systematically control dog population and eradicate stray dogs.

He said that because of the strict measures to eradicate stray dogs, there are times when conflict with the animal welfare groups arise. (PNA) LAP/AJPETINGLAY/VLO