The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Cordillera on October 15 recognized various barangays and rabies coordinators in the region that have an admirable implementation of the rabies prevention and control program.

At the DA-CAR Conference Hall, representatives of the seven barangays comprised of barangay SLU-SVP (Baguio City), barangay Tuding, Itogon; barangay Banengbeng and Poblacion, Sablan all in Benguet province, barangays Poblacion in Bauko and Pandayan in Tadian, Mt. Province and barangay Datakan in Kapangan who all received each a plaque of recognition and a PHP 30,000 cash prize for their outstanding implementation of the rabies program in their barangays.

Aside from the seven barangays, 13 rabies coordinators from the barangay, municipal and provincial level in the region were also conferred.

In the barangay level, this year’s awardees were barangay rabies coordinators Imelda Tibalao (SLU-SVP, Baguio City), Zosima Lamsis (Tuding, Itogon), Dione Tonged (Datakan, Kapangan), James Rafael (Banengbeng, Sablan), and Crispin Mariano Jr. (Poblacion, Sablan).

For the municipal level, lauded were Baguio City Rabies Coordinator Gladys Bantog, Dr. Giovanne Ross Bragado (Bauko), Dr. Meble Aguna (Tadian), Andres Cayap (Kapangan) and Ramon Anacioco (Sablan). For the provincial level, awarded were Benguet Provincial Rabies Coordinator Peter Canggat Jr. and Mt. Province Rabies Coordinator Dr. Julienne Calde.

DA-CAR Regulatory Division Chief Ruben Dulagan said the recognition is a part of the encouragement for stakeholders to try to be best implementers of the rabies program, a few step towards attaining a rabies-free Philippines in 2030.

The awarding ceremony was led by Mr. Ruben Dulagan, Regional Rabies Coordinator Arlene Sagayo and Department of Health (DOH) Rabies Coordinator Roy Fiaching.

Mr. Fiaching in his message said the health department support in the recognition of best implementers of the rabies program. He also highlighted the DOH help in the rabies program to the LGUs which include the establishment of Animal Bite Treatment Centers in the region and the advocacy to continue practicing Responsible Pet Ownership.

The treatment centers are located in the strategic areas and are present in all provinces of the region citing there are more than 30 Animal Bite Treatment Centers established in the Cordillera which is higher than the target of 12 centers.

He noted that since 2015, there are one to two human-rabies deaths recorded in the region. Moreover, Communicable Disease Cluster Head Medical Officer Jennifer Joyce Pira said may the recognition program be a yearly activity to recognize the good practices of the stakeholders in the region.

Alternate Rabies Coordinator Cecilia Capuyan said the main objective of the activity is to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Local Government units which contributed to the implementation of the Rabies Prevention and Control Program.

In 2013, the Stop Transboundary Animal Disease and Zoonoses (STANDZ) Rabies Initiative of the OIE Sub-Regional Representation South East Asia (SRR SEA) developed the “South-East Asia Dog Rabies Elimination Strategy” which outlined the STOP strategy: socio-cultural, technical, organizational and political pillars deemed essential for embarking on dog rabies elimination.

The framework provides a coordinated approach and vision for the global elimination of dog-mediated human rabies following the STOP-Strategy, with addition of Resources as the fifth pillar.

It is intended to harmonize actions and provide adaptable, achievable guidance for country and regional strategies.

Following the STOP-R Framework and integrating the lessons, experiences, tools and other materials generated from the previous cycle of implementation, OPLAN RED aggressively targets dog rabies elimination.

While efforts will focus on educating and engaging the public for reinforcing actions, central to OPLAN RED will be the efforts to address virus at source through intercepting the cycle of infection at its entry and exit points which will also include strengthening of internal and external coordination and partnerships.

‘Be a responsible pet owner’

When he was still a kid, SLU-SVP barangay captain Heraldo Lamaton recalled receiving injections for rabies and now being a barangay official and a retired police officer, together with stakeholders and officials of their barangay they continue to advocate for rabies prevention and control program in their barangay.

On Friday, he shared various strategies of rabies prevention and control programs implemented in their village, this includes the official letters addressed to all irresponsible pet owners adding one strategy is also having six months to yearly free rabies vaccinations in the barangay.

He also appealed to constituents to be responsible pet owners and have their pets on leash.

In his message, he extended gratitude to the regional agriculture department for recognizing the barangays efforts to rabies prevention.

Being one of the recipients of this year’s best barangay implementers, the barangay official added it will be up to the barangay council to decide on the specific allocation for the PHP 30,000 cash prize.

He also assured that rabies prevention and control programs will continue in their barangay.

Photos by DA-CAR RAFIS & Livestock Program