SANTA MARCELA, Apayao – More than 40 barangay officials from Santa Marcela and three barangays of Flora gathered at the Clubhouse, Municipal Grounds in San Carlos, Santa Marcela on March 21, in a united front against rabies.
Rabies is one of the deadliest but most preventable public health threats in the country.
This activity was organized by the Provincial Government of Apayao (PGA), through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), with support from the Department of Health (DOH). Said event served as a knowledge exchange, campaign, and technical briefing rolled into one. Themed “Rabies-Free na Pusa’t Aso, Kaligtasan ng Pamilyang Pilipino,” the activity placed prevention at the center of community leadership.
Dr. Leitleton Tadena of the PVO discussed responsible pet ownership, proper restraint methods, and most importantly, how to handle dead animals without putting oneself or others at risk. The rule: gear up. Masks, gloves, goggles, and even hairnets are your first defense.
Questions about vaccine access, storage, and public availability were raised during the open forum. Participants were pointed to their respective Municipal Health Offices (MHO) for supply coordination.
Santa Maria Barangay Captain, also a previous top performer in the Rabies Implementer Awards, spoke with urgency, citing cases of stray dogs roaming highways and the need for strict leash laws. “Let us not just talk about awareness. Let us win the fight,” he said.
PHO and PVO representatives zeroed in on steps that remain non-negotiable: annual pet vaccinations, strict leash implementation, and post-bite response protocols that include immediate wound washing and instant reporting to authorities. Killing suspected animals on sight are strongly discouraged. Observing for 14 days could mean the difference between saving a life and misdiagnosing panic as fact.
Symptoms of rabies were reviewed, including fever, numbness, hydrophobia, and aerophobia. These are signs that things are no longer in the hands of barangay leaders, but of medical responders. By Krizza Joy Castillo
