ILOILO – Sicogon Island in the northern coastal municipality of Carles is expected to attract more tourists following its declaration as a rabies-free zone.
The island consists of barangays (villages) San Fernando, Lipata and Buaya.
On Dec. 18 and 19, the Sub-National Rabies Control Committee Technical Working Group (TWG) visited Sicogon Island to conduct an evaluation.
Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), confirmed that the island had met the criteria for a rabies-free area. These were the following:
* vaccinating at least 70 percent of the dog population for the past two years
* implementing local ordinances for rabies prevention and control
* establishing an effective rabies control committee
* operating a sufficient rabies surveillance system, including g border controls to prevent stray dogs from other barangays, and establishing a dog pound
* ensuring the availability of human and animal anti-rabies vaccines
* integrating rabies education into elementary school curriculum
* observing Rabies Awareness Month and World Rabies Day
Tabuada said the rabies-free declaration will significantly enhance Sicogon’s tourism industry because visitors’ safety from rabies is assured.
He also reassured that Sicogon Island’s rabies-free status would be sustained, with plans already in place for local officials to follow.
Besides Sicogon Island, Barangay Isla De Cana in Carles was also declared rabies-free.
The TWG, led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 and the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6, included various regional and provincial health representatives.
The declaration included a P50,000 cash incentive from DOH for each of the four barangays (Sicogon Island and Barangay Isla De Cana) to aid in their sustainability plans.
Islands are prioritized for rabies-free declarations due to the natural water barriers that make controlling and sustaining the status easier than in mainland barangays.
Previously, five island barangays and two islands in the province were declared rabies-free. These were Granada, Asluman, Gabi, Lantangan, Balbagon, and Bantique islands in Carles town, and Barangay Nasidman in Ajuy town.
The PVO and the Iloilo Provincial Health Office’s efforts to declare more barangays rabies-free align with their goal to achieve a rabies-free status for the entire province by 2030. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has allocated P8,000,000 to procure 200,000 anti0rabies vaccine doses this year, marking the first time since 2015 that the province has reached its 70 percent vaccination target.
The provincial government’s allocation covers 70 percent of the vaccine requirement for the entire province.
With an additional P8-million budget allocated for next year’s dog vaccination, the province’s efforts towards rabies prevention is seen continue to progress steadily./PN
