Declaration of Socorro, Surigao del Norte as Rabies-free Island municipality Last October 22, 2014, the National Rabies Program thru its National Manager Dr. Raffy Deray announced to the populace that Soccoro is officially one of the areas in the country as rabies-free. The declaration ceremony was witnessed by officials from the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture Caraga headed by Regional Director Edna Mabeza and LGU officials of the Province of Surigao del Norte and Municipality of Soccoro as well as barangay officials and residents. Dr. Esther Cardeño, the regional rabies coordinator, said, that the declaration of the island of Soccoro as rabies-free is a result of the close collaboration of various government agencies such as DOH, DA, DILG, DepEd, and LGU as well as non-government organizations and academe. LGU of Soccoro actively supported the campaign against rabies by promulgating an ordinance regulating canine population in the area. Through the ordinance, owners of dogs were obliged to have a dog house in their respective residences and have their dogs regularly vaccinated. Failure to do so has a corresponding penalty based on the municipal ordinance. DA provided the needed vaccines and implementation of dog population management as well as massive information campaign. Socorro is the second area in Mindanao declared as rabies-free next to Camiguin. To date, 23 areas nationwide have been declared jointly by the DOH and DA as Rabies Free Zones. National Rabies Prevention and Control Program aims to make Philippines rabies free by 2020.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 10:30:20 +0000