Bontoc, Mountain Province- In observance of Rabies Awareness Month this March, the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) is reiterating its call to pet owners in this locality to have their pets vaccinated against rabies annually and be responsible pet owners
Municipal Government Assistant Department Head Catherine Agcon of the OMAg made this appeal during the regular Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds on March 6, 2023.
Aside from sharing information about responsible pet ownership and signs of canine rabies, Agcon reported that five confirmed rabies cases (rabid dogs) have been recorded in the municipality from January to March this year.
Relative to this, she solicited the cooperation of all dog owners to ensure that their dogs are leashed or confined in their kennels for safety purposes.
Agcon added that as an immediate response to rabies cases recorded in the municipality, the OMAg in partnership with the Provincial Government of Mountain Province through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, respective Barangay LGUs, and other partner agencies have been going around the community and conducted massive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns and vaccination to cats and dogs. They were able to vaccinate 38 cats and 1,637 dogs.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., solicited the active cooperation and support of the public of the government’s program against rabies.
“March of every year, we observe Rabies Awareness Month. May this observance remind us to do our share to protect our families and the community against the dreadful disease of rabies. The Bontoc LGU through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in partnership with the Provincial LGU of Mountain Province and other government agencies are providing free anti-rabies vaccine shots to dogs and cats. Thus, I encourage all pet owners to have your fur best friends and fur babies vaccinated,” Tudlong remarked.
The nation observes Rabies Awareness Month, per Executive Order No. 84, series of 1999, and as stipulated in Republic Act No. 9482 or the “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.”**Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay, Bontoc-LGU
