Cebu inaugurates first public vet clinic
CEBU — In its efforts to bring veterinary services to its constituents, the Cebu provincial government here inaugurated the first ever veterinary clinic in the country in the town of Tudela in Camotes island.
The P5 million facility funded by the province was an initiative of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia as part of her administration’s assistance to farmers especially in the islands of Camotes and Bantayan.
Its services include surgery, x-ray, ultrasound, chemical analyzer for blood testing, laboratory and other medical services such as admissions and consultations for pets, poultry and livestock.
Cebu Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rose Vincoy said “Vet clinics are usually privately-owned. If there are any public ones, these are located inside veterinary offices of LGU (local government unit). This time we are hoping that the services is not just in government main office but now closer to the farmers.”
She added that veterinary services in Ca motes island will no longer be hampered unlike before that non-transporting of pets, poultry and livestock was prevented because of unpredictable weather and sea conditions.
Tudela Mayor Gremar Solante for his part told the Daily Tribune that the people of Tudela and even other towns in Camotes island (Poro, San Francisco and Pilar) were very thankful for Governor Garcia for setting up the first-ever vet clinic for the island.
“Tudela being an agricultural town and its livelihoods are livestock and poultry as major sources of income will be benefitted from the public clinic,” he added.
Anti-rabies vaccines and vaccines for cattles, hogs and poultry can be availed of in the island clinic for free while laboratory fees will be follow subsidized rates.
With the clinic, the province aims to maintain Camotes’ rabies-free zone status, prevent animal diseases from spreading as well as monitor and control animal movement either coming in or going out of Cebu.
Vincoy said “it is very timely and fitting that the clinic is positioned here, if there are movements of animals, they can be inspected here.”