Tacurong joins nationwide kick-off of Rabies Awareness Month

Tacurong City took part in the nationwide kick-off celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month last March 8, 2014 held at the City Hall Lobby. It carries the theme “Working together for a Rabies Free Philippines.”

The Provincial Veterinary Office chose Tacurong as the venue for the event considering that the city continues to be free of the rabies virus through the years. 

Mayor Montilla together with all sponsors, partners, and pet owners

The City Veterinarian, Dr. Herminigilda S. Sanque, MPA, encouraged the people of Tacurong to help maintain the status of the city as a rabies-free community. She further said, “Through the Rabies Awareness Month, we are able to do more information and dissemination activities in order to gradually reduce the incidences of rabies and prevent its increasing cases.”

She also expressed her gratitude to the partners who incessantly support this advocacy, namely: The Rotary Club of Tacurong; the Provincial Veterinary Office; all livestock personnel from the 11 municipalities of Sultan Kudarat; Canine Club Association of Tacurong; UNAHCO; Last Option Petshop; SKTSI; and the different public and private establishments/organizations in the province.

In his message, Rotary President Rey Miguel Lopez stressed out the fatal consequences of rabies and provided importance facts as to its risks especially with children. He also urged pet owners to be responsible individuals to their pets saying that the Rabies Awareness Month “is not only a city government affair, but a citizen affair.”

City Mayor Lina O. Montilla also delivered her message during the event. “The city government through the Office for City Veterinary Services has been very active in carrying out activities for rabies awareness,” she said while putting emphasis on the importance of unity in maintaining the city’s status as rabies-free. Further, she implied, “When it comes to rabies, our mantra is still ‘Prevention is the best medicine.’”

The city vet office conducting free dog vaccination

After the short program, the office of the city veterinary services conducted free dog vaccination. The Canine Club also had a dog walk at dawn of March 8. (LGU-Tacurong City Information)