Rabies and stray dog control committee formed
A RABIES Prevention and Stray Dog Control Committee has been formed in the city to spearhead activities towards achieving a rabies-free city.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong will chair the committee with City Veterinarian Dr. Brigit Piok as action officer.
In Executive Order No. 163 series of 2019, the mayor named the following as members of the committee: City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo, Dept. of Education Baguio City Schools Division Supt. Dr. Marie Carolyn Verano, Dept. of Interior and Local Government City Director Evelyn Trinidad, Association of Barangay Councils President Coun. Michael Lawana, Baguio City Police Director Lt. Col. Allen Rae Co, the public information officer and the non-government organizations Philippine Veterinary Medical Association Cordillera (PVMA-CAR) and Cordillera Animal Protection Advocate Inc. (CAPA).
The body is tasked to coordinate plans and efforts from member agencies to achieve a rabies-free Baguio City by the year 2030
It will also take charge of preparing a City Rabies Prevention and Stray Dog Control Plan adhering to the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program and incorporating more specific responsibilities within the scope of the Local Government Unit; and of proposing amendments to the existing the City Rabies Ordinances as needed.
In the barangay level, the committee will help in the creation of the Barangay Rabies Prevention and Stray Dog Control bodies “Bantay Rabies” in the grassroots level, evaluate and support the barangay activities on the implementation of their responsibility on the program, come up with model barangays as best program implementers and to formulate criteria and conduct a search for
best implementing barangay.
The creation of the committee is pursuant to Republic Act No. 9842 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 which mandates the establishment of a National Rabies Prevention and Control Program.
“The law mandates the establishment of rabies prevention and stray dog control committee in all LGUs (for) harmonious implementation of the program (while also providing) guidelines for the declaration of rabies-free zones and one of the requirements in the declaration is the establishment of (a committee),” the mayor noted.
Ordinance No. 92008 or Amending Ordinance No. 61-1993 and Ordinance No. 821948 of the city requires dogs to be subjected to anti-rabies vaccination.