By: Rodrigo S. Victoria
NAVAL, Biliran – The National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee (NRPCC) has formally declared Biliran province as “Rabies-Free Zone” last month in a ceremony held in Makati City Hall on September 28, 2012.
The certificate for the declaration of Biliran province as “Rabies-Free Zone” was personally received by Dr. Suzette V. Apura, provincial veterinarian of the Biliran Provincial Veterinary Office.
Biliran province was declared as “Rabies-Free Zone” by the NRPCC for completing and satisfying the requirements stated in the guidelines for declaring areas for rabies-free zones based on the joint administrative order No.1 of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The certificate that officially declares Biliran province as “Rabies-Free Zone” was signed by DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona and DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
Biliran province was officially declared as “Rabies-Free Zone” by NRPCC together with the provinces of Camiguin and Marinduque and the island town of Limasawa in Southern Leyte.
The ceremonial declaration of Biliran province as “Rabies-Free Zone” will be held on October 11, 2012 at the Biliran Garden Resort in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay Calumpang, Naval, Biliran.
No less than the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative in the person of Dr. Soe Nyunt-U will be present during the ceremonial declaration together with DOH Asec. Pauline Jean Ubial; Dr. Rubina O. Cresencio, OIC director of the Bureau of Animal Institute; Dr. Jaime S. Bernadas, regional director of DOH-8 and Antonio G. Gerundio, regional director of DA-RFO-8.
The highlights during the ceremonial declaration of Biliran province as “Rabies-Free Zone” include the unveiling of the rabies-free zone marker and flying of balloons that will be held at the provincial capitol grounds in the morning of October 11, 2012.
Municipalities in Biliran province with remarkable accomplishments on rabies prevention and control program will be given award. Winners of the poster and slogan making contests will also be awarded on October 11.