Bohol launches search for best anti-rabies programs

AS Bohol strives to eliminate rabies, authorities prepare for another round of the search for the best rabies teams from the province’s 1,109 barangays.

The Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (BRPEC) announced the start of this year’s award for Best Performing Bantay Rabies sa Barangay (BRB) and Municipal Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (MRPEC) during its meeting last April 14.

The committee will go around the province to evaluate the implementation of programs. Barangays that attained 70 percent dog registration and vaccination by the end of June would be rated as contenders.

These barangays, however, need an endorsement from the MRPEC to be included in the shortlist of semi-finalists, said veterinarian Dr. Nida Daguro.

A team from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian would be doing the table evaluation in July to further seek out the final list of qualified barangays and MRPECs, said Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.

Areas to be evaluated include the barangay’s attainment of the 70 percent dog registration and vaccination for the last two quarters, innovations in program implementation, active BRB, dog population control measures and responsible pet ownership campaign, said Daisy Basco of the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office.

The provincial government has allocated prizes for the winning barangays.

Last year’s winners were Cogon Norte in Loon, San Roque in Mabini and Haguilanan in Catigbian.