BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government, through its Provincial Veterinary Office, spearheaded a veterinary medical mission as part of the celebration of this year’s 18th Lang-ay Festival held at the Provincial Veterinary Office Compound in the capital town on April 1, 2025.
The activity is in partnership with the city government of Baguio, provincial government of Apayao, municipality government of La Trinidad, Benguet, and private veterinarians/ animal practitioners from Cebu, Baguio City and Bontoc.
According to Veterinarian Juliene T. Calde, services that were offered during the veterinary mission were free spaying, castration, rabies vaccination, deworming, checkup, and treatment of pets.
The one-day activity recorded a total of 44 dogs and 32 cats, a total of 76, that were neutered or spayed while 76 dogs and 19 cats received anti-rabies vaccinations. More than 100 pet animals were also dewormed, receiving consultations, checkups, and treatments.
During the closing program, the message from Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. was delivered by Executive Assistant Ernesto Bondad, expressing his gratitude to teams of veterinarians and animal practitioners who extended their resources and the free services that led to the success of the activity.
Bondad also thanked their partners for responding to their special request to augment the workforce of the Provincial Veterinary Office for the veterinary mission.
Also, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee Chair on Agriculture, Ezra Samson A. Gomez showed up to express his support to the event.
Meanwhile, the team from the City Government of Baguio City was headed by its Assistant City Veterinarian, Dr. Gladys C. Bantog while the team from the Provincial Government of Apayao was headed by Apayao Provincial Veterinarian Ralph M. Verzon. Dr. Mark Anthony G. Padao from the La Trinidad municipal government joined the team from Baguio City.
The other veterinarians/ animal practitioners who offered their free services were Dr. Felice Carmi S. Fontanilla, Dr. Hilary D. Fontanilla, Jr., Dr. Michael M. Takinan, Dr. Hyden C. Luma-ang, Dr. Dwyer B. Pocais, Dr. Lei Robelle I. Domingo, Dr. Remi Joanne C. Padul, Dr. Brinyl D. Laoyan, Ritchel Jay C. Calban, Cyrilbone P. Barroga, and Revira B. Andugan.
Moreover, a certificate of appreciation was awarded each to the provincial government’s partners for participating in and sharing their expertise during the veterinary medical mission. By MP-PIO
