SAN JOSE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - In pursuance with the goal, Rabies Free MIMAROPA by 2020, the Department of Agriculture (DA) MIMAROPA Livestock team spearheaded a training workshop on Animal Rabies Prevention and Control. This training aims to prepare the Local Government of Occidental Mindoro for their battle against rabies. The workshop happened last November 27-29 at the Sikatuna Beach Hotel wherein 75 participants from the different LGUs of Occidental Mindoro and students from Occidental Mindoro State College Murtha Campus attended. Aside from DA, the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also assisted and partake knowledge about rabies.
On the first day of the training, Municipal Agriculturist Romel Calingasan, welcomed the participants while Dr. Maria Teresa Altayo, Regional Livestock Focal Person acknowledged the participants and reminded them by saying, “Teamwork ang kailangan para ang MIMAROPA ay maging Rabies Free sa 2020.”
After the opening, Ms. Cherry Ann Candava, Regional Rabies Program Coordinator of DOH discussed and presented the updates of the Regional Rabies Prevention and Control Program for Human. In her discussion, she showed the human rabies cases from 2007-2017 showing the decrease of rabies cases in the region mostly in Marinduque and Romblon. She also explained the RA 9482 or the Anti Rabies Act. Afterwards, Dr. Hugo Untalan, Regional Rabies Program Coordinator of DA discussed the same topic but it was regarding the Rabies Prevention for Animals. Dr. Untalan presented the vaccination coverage of the region and he explained that in order for a barangay to be declared rabies free, 70% of the total population should be rabies free.
On the other hand, Ms. Violeta Blando, Provincial Rabies Coordinator and Dr. Kristofferson Gonzales, Provincial Veterinarian discussed the updates of the Provincial Rabies Prevention and Control Program for Human and Animals. They have presented the list of the rabies cases in the province and they have showed their vaccination accomplishment, dog population and vaccine coverage. Ms. Blando also explained the Bite Management in case of biting incidents.
Lastly, Dr. Hugo Untalan did discussions about RA 9482 and RA 8485, Rabies Mass Dog Vaccination Protocol. Dr. Gloria Salazar, Head of the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) 4A, explained cold Chain Management. Then, Dr. Shiny Ong, Dr. Carla Limsan and Dr. Jeandeluz Reboca of RADDL MIMAROPA presented the topics about Dog Catching Restraint, Sample submissions for Rabies Examination and Introduction and Accomplishing the Dog Registration and Vaccination Form.
After the discussions, everyone was gathered for a briefing for the participants’ practicum on the next day, wherein they needed to vaccinate and register dogs and cats.
On the second day, the participants was divided into seven (7) groups wherein each group will have one veterinarian to assist them. The groups went to 7 sitios of Brgy. La Curva in which they vaccinated dogs and cats and even provided vitamins and medicines for needy animals. A total of 271 animals was vaccinated in the said practicum.
The participants are so thankful for they have not just learned but they also experienced and do what they have learned.
