ILOILO – To fast-track the massive dog vaccination drive here, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is conducting an orientation/training for newly-hired dog vaccinators of local government units (LGUs).
The latest was in the 1st District’s San Joaquin town. More than 60 dog vaccinators were trained on Feb. 23 and 24. They would vaccinate more than 7,000 dogs from the town’s 85 barangays.
The provincial government allocated vaccines that could cover 65 percent of San Joaquin’s dog population of more than 11,000.
Municipal Agriculture Office officer-in-charge Kennard John Mondragon said they could achieve 100 percent vaccination this year considering their reduced dog population. The municipal government purchased additional vials of anti-rabies vaccines.
Meanwhile, PVO head, Dr. Darel Tabuada, said the hiring of dog vaccinators by LGUs is part of their agreement.
“Ang agreement with LGUs nga instead of procuring rabies vaccines, ang ila pundo sa rabies program will be diverted sa ila barangay vaccinators and other logistics. Kami na ang bahala sang rabies vaccines,” said Tabuada.
The provincial government purchased 21,000 vials of rabies vaccine for P9 million. It would be distributed to the 42 towns and the component city of Passi.
It could cover 70 percent of the total dog population in the province or 215,000 heads of the 307,578 total population, said Tabuada.
Meanwhile, LGUs will use their funds to hire vaccinators and provide trainings, allowances and other supplies.
LGUs will be responsible for inoculating their dog population, and the PVO has given them three months to do so.
Here is the breakdown of the 307,578 dog population in the province for 2022: Oton (15,440), Tigbauan (7,357), Guimbal (5,769), Miag-ao (10,414), San Joaquin (11,103), Igbaras (9,226), Tubungan (2,940), Pavia (5,566), Santa Barbara (7,217), New Lucena (4,273), Leganes (6,035), Zarraga (6,072), San Miguel (5,596), Alimodian (5,181), Leon (3,432), Cabatuan (14,063), Janiauy (13,730), Lambunao (14,970), Calinog (8,224), Bingawan (1,951), Mina (4,147), Pototan (10,154), Badiangan (1,951), Maasin (4,561), Anilao (3,487), Banate (6,398), Dumangas (10,216), Barotac Nuevo (3,045), Dingle (9,000), Dueñas (3,403), Passi City (15,905), San Enrique (3,720), Barotac Viejo (9,670), Ajuy (7,500), Sara (11,408), Lemery (6,072), San Rafael (2,916), Concepcion (6,492), San Dionisio (6,310), Batad (2,506), Estancia (4,683), Balasan (3,560), and Carles (8,001)./PN
