Multi-sectoral approach in implementing anti-rabies drive pushed
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Napoleon Cordova, chairman of the committee on health, recently passed a resolution pushing for the strict implementation of the pertinent provisions of Republic Act 9482, otherwise known as the "Anti-Rabies Act of 2007".
The resolution seeks the involvement City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, thru the City Health Office (CHO), the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd), with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Non-Government Organization (NGOs) and People's Organization (POs) and the Academe in the campaign.
Cordova said that the resolution was framed because of numerous cases reported here in Bacolod City of humans being bitten by dogs infected with rabies, and the treatment for such cases are very expensive.
He further said that most of these rabies-infected dogs are stray dogs or dogs which are not given anti-rabies shots by their owners.
"It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and toward this end, there must be a system for the control, prevention of the spread and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies and this will be established thru the effort by the responsible pet owners," He added.
Cordova urged all barangay and purok officials to help and support anti-rabies eradication through their massive campaign. He is now gathering data and figures as regards the number of persons victimized by stray dogs this year 2008.
Meanwhile, Cordova is now on the process of institutionalizing policies for the prevention of STI/HIV/AIDS here in Bacolod City along with Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue.
Cordova stressed that our government has an important guide in sustaining prevention and control efforts and caring for the people of all ages inasmuch as the gravity of the AIDS threat demands strong state action today and in the future.
He empowered a Local STI/HIV/AIDS Council to strengthened its monitoring mechanism. Cordova is now undertaking campaigns, promote value formation and employ approaches to focus on the family as the basic social unit and be carried out in all schools, training centers, workplaces abd communities and shall involve affected individuals and groups nor people with this HIV/AIDS on this campaign.