CAMIGUIN (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Camiguin is expanding its animal vaccination program to help maintain the island’s rabies-free status.
During the Padayong Pagserbisyo Alang sa Katawhan radio program, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Lordgin V. Gamo said the program includes not only rabies vaccinations but also deworming and vitamin supplementation for farm animals.
“Gihimo ni siya first gyud ang tumong niya is para ma-sustain nato ang rabies-free status sa atoang probinsya sa Camiguin kay sa tibuok Pilipinas siguro murag I think duha na lang ka province ang na’y rabies-free status,” Gamo said.
(This was implemented primarily to sustain the rabies-free status of our province, Camiguin, because in the entire Philippines, I believe there are only about two provinces left that still hold rabies-free status.)
According to the Joint Department of Agriculture and Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2019-001, Camiguin, along with Marinduque and Romblon, is designated as a rabies-free zone. Camiguin has maintained this status since 2012.
To help sustain this, the provincial veterinary office holds biannual vaccination drives across the island’s five municipalities.
From February to mid-April, the office vaccinated 6,446 dogs and 768 cats against rabies. It also provided deworming and vitamins to 758 cattle, 875 goats, and 168 carabaos.
“Importante kaayo ni siya kay maprotektahan atong mga mananap sa kani nga klase sa sakit, specific nga sakit, and then siyempre especially kining sa rabies kabalo man gyud ta nga ang rabies makatakod gyud sa tao so importante gyud siya,” Gamo said.
(This is very important because it protects our animals from this kind of disease—a specific illness—and of course, especially when it comes to rabies, we all know that rabies can be transmitted to humans, so it is truly essential.)
The program is delivered in coordination with local governments, allowing veterinary teams to reach households directly.
“Mao ni’y naka-unique sa Camiguin kay ang team sa province ug incorporation sa Mambajao LGU so muadto gyud, house-to-house gyud ni siya nga pagserbisyo,” Gamo added.
(This is what makes Camiguin unique—the team from the province, in coordination with the Mambajao LGU, really goes house to house to deliver this service.)
Veterinarian Dr. Rowland M. Awiten said the team also monitors ports to block the entry of unvaccinated animals.
“Diri sa Camiguin, na-maintain gyud niya ang pagka-rabies free. Pasabot ana, walay kaso sa iro or sa mga mananap, wala pu’y kaso sa tao,” Awiten said.
(Here in Camiguin, we have truly maintained our rabies-free status. This means there are no cases in dogs or other animals, and no cases in humans either.)
The office also holds free spay and neuter campaigns twice a year. The next session is scheduled for late May or early June, with a focus on female dogs due to limited anesthesia.
Gamo urged residents to support the effort to keep Camiguin rabies-free. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
