TACLOBAN CITY- The National Rabies Awareness Month Celebration in the city government of Tacloban was capped with the awarding ceremony of the winners of the “Search for Astray and Rabies Free Barangay” held at the USAID Training Center on March 29, 2019.
The team leaders of the 5 evaluating teams together with Dr. Eunice Alcantara, Dr. Rogiel Mahait and Dr. Johdel Ty of the City Veterinary Office after thorough deliberations unanimously selected Barangays 36-A Imelda Village, 44 Sta. Cruz St./Quarry District and 43-A Quarry District as the grand winners of the Contest.
Each of the barangay received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize worth P10,000.
Chairmen Rebecca Obenieta (Brgy. 36-A), Marilou Tiu (Brgy. 44) and Evelyn Magalona (Brgy. 43-A) each gave their impressions of the event.
Tiu committed to continuing the campaign against rabies in her barangay through a barangay-based search for Astray/Rabies Free Households and regular film-showing event about the dreaded disease in her barangay.
Consolation prizes were also given to seven barangays, namely Brgys. 71 Naga-Naga, 81 Marasbaras, 109 V&G, 92 Apitong and 17 Gomez St; each received plaque of participation and a cash prizes of P7,000.
Brgy. 83-A Burayan and Brgy. 39 Siren District both received plaque and cash prizes worth P5,000.
The barangays were rated using the following criteria: record of dog population survey (10 points), adoption of the barangay of the city ordinance (15 points), record of barangay blotter of animal bite cases (10 points), record of negative results of samples submitted to RADDL (Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory) (10 points), rabies awareness posters in strategic places in the barangay (10 points), negative human/animal cases for the past five years (15 points), record of dog registration/vaccination (10 points) and on-site evaluation/enumeration of stray dogs (20 points).
According to City Veterinary Officer Dr. Eunice Alcantara, the contest was the first ever held in the entire Country.
Alcantara likewise disclosed that for almost 15 years there was no human transmission of rabies recorded in Tacloban City.
The last recorded case was in 2004, and she hopes that Tacloban City will finally be declared nationally as a “rabies-free city.”
The success of the anti-rabies campaign in Tacloban is due to the unwavering support of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez to the Veterinary Office.
Mayor Romualdez was represented by Executive Assistant Dr. Teofila Brosas who was one of the Award presenters.
Last year, the CVO was awarded by the Department of Health Regional Office 8 as the Best Performing local government unit in the region for the Rabies Awareness and Control Program.
(R.CALIPARA/CIO)
