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WHEREAS, rabies is 100% fatal viral disease affecting
the nervous system of humans and animals and remains a
serious public health problem in the country;
WHEREAS, the Philippines ranked 5th
worldwide in human rabies incidence with a significant
percentage affecting children due to the bites of
rabid dogs;
WHEREAS, the incidence of dog rabies in 2004 was
1,896, is one of the highest in the region;
WHEREAS, there is an urgent appeal for all sectors of
the country to coordinate and implement the rabies
control and eradication program that should make the
country rabies-free by year 2020;
WHEREAS, it is recognized that the Local Government
Units (LGUs) play a significant role in the
implementation of the rabies control and eradication
program through the enactment of updated and relevant
ordinances fro this purpose;
WHEREAS, the enactment of Anti-Rabies law in the
Congress of the Philippines and approved by the
President will be the main pillar in eradicating
rabies;
WHEREAS, there is a need for the President of the
Philippines to issue an Executive Order for the
prevention, control and eradication of dog rabies in
the Philippines in coordination with the Department of
Health;
WHEREAS, the incidence of rabies occurs significantly
among children, the information education campaign
should focus more on this sector;
WHEREAS, one of the causes of human deaths due to
rabies is the adherence to “tandok” for treatment
which should be prohibited;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby resolved that the
following measures be recommended for the
implementation as soon as possible:
1.
A private sector led Coalition of Rabies
Philippines
be formed composed of all concerned government
agencies, civic, and religious organizations.
2.
Lobby for the approval of the Anti-Rabies bills, HB
1384 filed by Congressman Matias V. Defensor and HB
521 filed by Congresswoman Darlene R.
Antonino-Custodio; SB 280 filed by Sen. Manuel B.
Villar and SB 2290 filed by Sen. Noli De Castro, as
soon as possible;
3.
Recommend the enactment of an updated and relevant LGU
ordinance with the provision for stray dog control,
compulsory anti-rabies vaccination for dogs and
responsible pet ownership program to include the
formation of an Animal Welfare Section that will
complement the provisions of the Animal Welfare Law
and likewise to prohibit the use of “tandok” in
treating bite victims.
4.
Recommend to the Department of Education, Division of
Elementary Education, the inclusion of rabies
prevention, handling dog bites and responsible pet
ownership in the curriculum.
5.
Draft a new Executive Order for the prevention,
control and eradication of dog rabies in the
Philippines in coordination with the Department of
Health and appropriating P40 million to cover the cost
of dog rabies vaccine, cost of information and
education campaign, and tri-media expenses.
6.
Draft updated procedures in management of rabies cases
in human and animal as recommended by the Departments
of Health and Agriculture.
FURTHER, it is resolved that copies of this resolution
be furnished the Secretaries of Agriculture, Health,
Education and Interior and Local Government for the
endorsement and approval by the President of the
Philippines.
(sgd.) TEODULO M. TOPACIO JR., DVM, PhD
Chair,
Agricultural Sciences Division
National Academy of Science and Technology
(sgd). EMIL Q. JAVIER, PhD
President
National Academy of Science and Technology
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