Iloilo pushes for 70% dog vaccination rate
ILOILO – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is set to intensify its dog vaccination campaign.
According to Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the PVO, efforts will be expanded this Rabies Awareness Month to swiftly reach a 70 percent vaccination target.
As of February 29, 70,696 dogs, or 21.77 percent of t he province’s 324,764 dog population, have been vaccinated.
“Our mass vaccination effort, which began in February, will continue until April 30, 2024,” said Tabuada.
New Lu ce na became the first Iloilo municipality to achieve a 97 percent vaccination rate by the end of February.
The PVO is linking up with local government unithired vaccinators to ensure comprehensive coverage at the barangay level.
“We appreciate the municipal governments’ initiative in conducting mass dog vaccinations,” said Tabuada.
In addition to ongoing vaccination efforts, t he PVO has scheduled a series of events on March 22 in Pototan in observance of Rabies Awareness Month. Activities include a dog walk, an advocacy forum, spay and neuter operations, and extensive vaccination in Pototan’s barangays.
Moreover, PVO has planned spay and neuter events across various municipalities throughout March – Calinog ( March 4), Janiuay ( March 12), Concepcion ( March 15), Lemery ( March 19), Dumangas ( March 20), and Passi City (March 21).
On March 6, Tabuada will convene technicians and vaccinators to evaluate the vaccination campaign’s progress at the municipal level.
“Our goal is to identify and address any issues, ensuring that local government units are fully supported ,” he explained.
Tabuada has confirmed the availability of sufficient rabies vaccines, purchased through funds allocated by Gov. Arthur
Defensor Jr. An P8- million investment has acquired 20,150 vaccine vials, with an additional 800 vials in reserve, enough to vaccinate 8,000 dogs.
This year, thePVO is concentrating on the 10 municipalities with t he lowest vaccination rates in 2023, aiming to assist these areas in achieving at least a 70 percent vaccination rate. Tabuada urged dog owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies as part of these efforts.
The targeted municipalities are San Joaquin, Igbaras, Tigbauan, Zarraga, Janiuay, Pototan, Banate, San Rafael, Bingawan, and Passi City.
Here are the dog vaccination accomplishments of the 10 LGUs last 2023: San Joaquin (3,711 out of 7,023 dogs), Igbaras (4,620 out of 9,226 dogs), Tigbauan (4,221 out of 7,357 dogs), Zarraga ( 3,415 out of 6,072 dogs), Janiuay (8,014 out of 13,730 dogs), Pototan (2,302 out of 10,154 dogs), Banate (1,842 out of 6,398 dogs), San Rafael ( 1,404 out of 2,916 dogs), Bingawan (1,423 out of 5,865 dogs), and Passi City (8,312 out of 15,905 dogs)./