ILOILO – Iloilo Province’s efforts to prevent the spread of rabies and avian influenza have earned three national awards, highlighting its initiatives to protect public health, livestock and the local agricultural industry from animal-borne diseases.
The provincial government, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet), received the distinctions during the Animal Health Congress 2026 held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on October 29.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada personally accepted the awards recognizing Iloilo’s implementation of disease prevention, control and surveillance programs.
The province received the Award of Excellence for Best Local Government Unit Rabies Program Implementer and a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Rabies Program Implementation from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines.
It also earned a Certificate of Recognition for Avian Influenza Risk-Based Surveillance for successfully implementing monitoring activities aimed at detecting potential threats from bird flu.
Rabies, a deadly viral disease primarily transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected animals, remains a major public health concern, making vaccination, responsible pet ownership and early medical intervention essential to prevention.
Avian influenza, meanwhile, threatens poultry populations and the agricultural economy, underscoring the importance of continuous disease surveillance and early detection to prevent outbreaks.
Apart from the three national distinctions, Iloilo Province was also recognized during the Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas Regional Awards 2026 for its accomplishments in rabies prevention and control.
The recognitions underscore the importance of coordinated efforts among health authorities, veterinary personnel, local government units and communities in strengthening disease prevention, protecting animal welfare and safeguarding the province’s agricultural sector./PN
