PHL Ready For Rabies Free 2020 Challenge

BoracayIsland — The Philippines is committed to the challenge to make the country free of rabies by the year 2020, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In a Visayas-wide forum held here Tuesday, DOH Undersecretary Vicente Belizario Jr. said that they are working in coordination with local governments, Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Among the cities and provinces which have also expressed commitment to the endeavor are the cities of Iloilo, Southern Leyte, Cebu and Bacolod including the provinces of Antique, Guimaras, Aklan, and Biliran, among others.

“A similar forum should be held in Mindanao and Luzon,” said Belizario, adding that the theme of the campaign is “The Fight is not Over.”

After 2020, there will be another three years to be observed to ensure that there is no more rabies case recorded in the country.

A validation of the said claim will be made by the year 2022.

The plan to make the Philippines rabies free by 2020 is a commitment made together with ASEAN countries.

It was gathered that the Philippines is currently ahead with other ASEAN countries as the country has already passed an anti-rabies act.(PNA) FFC/AJP/JNA/CBF