DOG and cat owners in the country would no longer have to pay a laboratory fee to have their pets tested for rabies after Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ordered the moratorium on its collection in government facilities.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is waiving the payment of laboratory fees at the Philippine Animal Health Center of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RADDLs) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices beginning February 2015 until December 31, 2016.
Although rabies diagnosis is available in government facilities, there are still unreported cases of animal rabies due to nonsubmission of samples for laboratory confirmation. The payment of a laboratory fee for rabies is seen as a hindrance because most people in rural areas could not afford to pay.
Alcala said the laboratory examination for rabies should be free of charge to encourage submission of more samples from suspected animal rabies cases. He said waiving the lab fee is in line with the government’s goal of making the Philippines rabies-free.
“There are people who could not afford to pay the P200 laboratory fee for rabies examination. In waiving the laboratory fee, more pet owners, especially in the rural areas, will be encouraged to have their dogs tested for rabies,” said Dr. Emelinda Lopez, rabies focal person at the DA-BAI, in a statement.
Testing more animals for rabies, the DA said, would provide a “clearer picture” of the disease situation and will support the channeling of resources for rabies prevention and control in greatly affected areas.
The BAI, an attached agency of the DA, started its Rabies Awareness Month Kick-off Activity on March 2, which coincided with the agency’s 85th anniversary.
Rabies Awareness Month, celebrated annually every March, aims to increase public awareness on the risks of rabies and the importance of having dogs and cats vaccinated regularly against this fatal disease.
The activity is in line with the BAI’s goal of accelerating the achievement of a rabies-free Philippines by 2016. One of its aims is to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the estimated dog population in the country, or about 7 million dogs yearly, for the next two years.
Some P40 million will be spent by the government to vaccinate 300,000 dogs annually in the Bicol region. The country’s rabies-free thrust is supported by the Office International des Epizooties and the Australian government.
The BAI said local government units have been very active in conducting mass rabies vaccination and awareness campaigns nationwide.
For one, the City Veterinary Office of Makati will be providing free vaccination and castration of dogs and cats on March 7 at the Fidela’s Youth Center at M. Reyes corner Lucban streets in Bangkal, Makati City.
The one-day event will also include a T-shirt design making contest, “Moments with my Dog” photo contest, film viewing and distribution of information materials during the event. Cash prizes await the winners of the contests.
On the same day, the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Veterinary Medicine will also conduct mass rabies vaccination of dogs at Barangay UP Campus in Diliman, Quezon City.
The BAI urged dog and cat owners to provide their pets good nutrition, clean shelter, proper grooming and health care.
The government urged owners not to abandon their pets or let them roam the streets in order to prevent the spread of rabies.