ILOILO – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) targets giving rabies vaccines to at least 70 percent of the province’s total dog population this year.
“More or less ang target nga mabakunahan is around 215,304 sang aton dog population,” said PVO head, Dr. Darel Tabuada.
The PVO has started distributing 21,000 vials of rabies vaccines that could cover the dog population in 42 towns and one component city, Passi.
Tabuada also said the provincial government forged a vaccination agreement with local government units (LGUs). The former would purchase rabies vaccines and the above-mentioned 21,000 vials cost a total of P9 million, he said.
Meanwhile, LGUs will use their funds to hire vaccinators, provide training, allowances, and other supplies.
“Ang agreement with LGUs nga instead of procuring rabies vaccines, ang ila pundo sa rabies program will be diverted sa ila barangay vaccinators and other logistics. Kami na ang bahala sang rabies [vaccines],” Tabuada said.
LGUs will be responsible for inoculating their dog population, and the PVO has given them three months to do so.
Tabuada said the PVO is willing to extend technical assistance for the training of dog vaccinators.
The PVO may also send rabies vaccine vials to the LGUs if they cannot claim theirs on the fifth floor of the Iloilo provincial capitol.
Here is the breakdown of the 307,578 total dog population in the province for 2022:
* 1st District – Oton (15,440), Tigbauan (7,357), Guimbal (5,769), Miag-ao (10,414), San Joaquin (11,103), Igbaras (9,226), and Tubungan (2,940);
* 2nd District – Pavia (5,566), Santa Barbara (7,217), New Lucena (4,273), Leganes (6,035), Zarraga (6,072), San Miguel (5,596), Alimodian (5,181), Leon (3,432);
* 3rd District – Cabatuan (14,063), Janiuay (13,730), Lambunao (14,970), Calinog (8,224), Bingawan (1,951), Mina (4,147), Pototan (10,154), Badiangan (1,951), Maasin (4,561);
* 4th District – Anilao (3,487), Banate (6,398), Dumangas (10,216), Barotac Nuevo (3,045), Dingle (9,000), Dueñas (3,403), Passi City (15,905), San Enrique (3,720); and
* 5th District – Barotac Viejo (9,670), Ajuy (7,500), Sara (11,408), Lemery (6,072), San Rafael (2,916), Concepcion (6,492), San Dionisio (6,310), Batad (2,506), Estancia (4,683), Balasan (3,560), and Carles (8,001)./PN
