Dog and cat owners in the country would no longer have to pay a laboratory fee to have

their pets tested for rabies.

This is a welcome development as Secretary of Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala ordered a
moratorium on charging of the laboratory fee for rabies examination in government
facilities.
DA is waiving the payment of laboratory fees at the Philippine Animal Health Center of
the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) and the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic
Laboratories (RADDLs) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices
beginning February 2015 until December 31, 2016.
Although rabies diagnosis is available in government facilities, there are still unreported
cases of animal rabies due to non-submission of samples for laboratory confirmation.
The payment of a laboratory fee for rabies is seen as a hindrance because most people
in rural areas could not afford to pay the fee.
Secretary Alcala said the laboratory examination for rabies should be free of charge to
encourage submission of more samples from suspected animal rabies cases. Waiving
the lab fee is in line with DA-BAIs thrust to hasten the goal of a rabiesfree Philippines through dog vaccination.
There are a number of people who could not afford to pay the Php 200.00 laboratory
fee for rabies examination. In waiving the laboratory fee, more pet owners especially in
the rural areas will be encouraged to have their dogs tested for rabies said Dr.
Emelinda Lopez, Rabies Focal Person at DA-BAI. This will provide a clearer picture of
the disease situation and will support the channelling of resources for rabies prevention
and control in greatly affected areas.
DA-BAI started its Rabies Awareness Month Kick-off Activity on March 2, 2015 with the
theme: Bakunadong Pusat Aso sa Rabis Protektado, coinciding with the agencys
85th Foundation Anniversary. Rabies Awareness Month, celebrated annually every
March, aims to increase public awareness on the risks of rabies and the importance of
having dogs and cats vaccinated regularly against this fatal disease.

The activity is in line with the BAIs goal of accelerating the achievement of a rabiesfree Philippines by 2016. One of its aims is to vaccinate at least 70% of the estimated
dog population in the country or about seven million dogs yearly for the next two years.
This years campaign benefits from increased resources of Php 40 million for rabies
prevention and control being implemented by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) with
support from the Department of Health (DOH) and foreign-assistance from the World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Australian Government. The OIE project
aims to vaccinate 300,000 dogs annually in the Bicol Region and contribute to national
rabies eradication efforts.
Local Government Units (LGUs) have been very active in conducting mass rabies
vaccination and awareness campaigns nationwide.
The City Veterinary Office of Makati will be providing free vaccination and castration of
dogs and cats on March 7, 2015, Saturday, at the FidelasYouth Center at M. Reyes
corner Lucban Streets in Bangkal, Makati City.
The one-day event will also include a T-Shirt Design Making Contest, Moments with my
Dog Photo Contest, film viewing, and distribution of Information, Education, and
Communication (IEC) materials during the event. Cash prizes await the winners of the
contests.
On the same day, the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Veterinary
Medicine will also conduct mass rabies vaccination of dogs at Barangay UP Campus in
Diliman, Quezon City.
BAI Director and National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee (NRPCC) Chair Dr.
Rubina O. Cresencio, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Sub-Regional
Representative for South-East Asia

Dr. Ronello C. Abila, together with other staff from

the BAI, the City Veterinary Office of Makati, non-government organizations (NGOs),
and the private sector will be participating in these events.
With the government agencies and private organizations working together against
rabies, we at the BAI hope that in the coming years, we will not only celebrate its
foundation anniversary but also the countrys freedom from rabies, Dr. Cresencio said.

Dr. Lopez urged dog and cat owners to be responsible pet owners by giving good
nutrition, clean shelter, proper grooming, and health care to their pets. They must not
abandon their pets or let them roam the streets in order to prevent the spread of rabies.
More importantly, pets must be vaccinated regularly against rabies.