By Edwin Fernandez | Philippine News Agency
COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) has joined the Ministry of Health (MOH)-BARMM in the implementation of the anti-rabies vaccination drive across the region.
To date, more than 1,000 dogs, cats, and other warm-blooded animals have been vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccines, the MAFAR-BARMM said in a report Monday. MAFAR-BARMM Minister Mohammad Yacob said that since January this year, a total of 1,503 animals have been vaccinated in the region.
With the theme “Makiisa sa Barangayan Kontra Rabies, Maging Responsableng Pet Owner,” the region’s agriculture personnel collaborated with the MOH people in vaccinating both home and farm animals for the nationwide celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month this April.
“Upon the guidance of RA 9482 (Anti-rabies Act of 2007), the MAFAR-BARMM joined hands with the MOH-BARMM and local government units to help protect the public against rabies virus from dog bites and other animals like cats, monkeys, and horses, among others,” Yacob said.
Dr. Bai Zharinah Maguindra of MAFAR-BARMM said Maguindanao has the highest number of vaccinated animals with 807 heads, followed by Basilan with 425 heads, and Sulu (128).
“We have yet to complete our vaccination drive in Tawi-Tawi and far-flung villages of the region,” Maguindra said of the ongoing anti-rabies campaign.
Maguindra also cited a provision of RA 9482 that penalizes pet owners who failed to have their pets vaccinated and cause injuries to others.
Yacob’s directive to all MAFAR employees is to ensure that no resident in the BARMM would die due to rabies in the days or months to come, particularly in the rural areas.
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