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[av_heading heading=’DA declares Concepcion’s Pan de Azucar rabies-free’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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ILOILO City – Three islands in Western Visayas attained rabies-free status, with the addition of Pan de Azucar Island of Concepcion, Iloilo.
According to Dr. Pacifico Lumauag III, regional rabies control coordinator of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Pan de Azucar Island was the only nominee from all over the country approved by the central office for this year.
A certificate will be handed to local officials on Oct. 5.
Pan de Azucar is the biggest of the 16 islands of Concepcion and a popular destination of beach lovers in northern Iloilo. It is composed of barangays Macatunao, Talo-toan and Tambaliza.
Lumauag said the island maintains a low dog population.
One of the barangays even maintains a three-dog policy, he revealed.
All vaccinated dogs have neck tags for easy identification, said Lumauag.
Meanwhile, Boracay and Guimaras islands were able to maintain their rabies-free status since 2013.
On Wednesday, the provincial government of Guimaras will again be awarded a certificate from DA for this feat.
Lumauag said the province has been maintaining a low dog population. It also employs strict quarantine policy in ports. Unvaccinated dogs could not enter Guimaras.
Also, Guimaras has an updated vaccination program and dog registry.
Lumauag said their rabies-free status will further boost the tourism industries of Pan de Azucar, Guimaras and Boracay.
Iloilo City, on the other hand, will be awarded a certificate for having zero rabies cases in the past two years.
The rabies-free status, however, is only conferred to areas with zero rabies cases for three consecutive years. (PNA)
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