South Cotabato, Philippines — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), continues to strengthen its efforts to protect communities from rabies through regular free anti-rabies vaccination, mass castration, and information and education campaigns (IEC).
Among the communities being closely protected and maintained as rabies-free areas are Sitio Tebanwo, Sitio Tamodo, and Isla Gigantes in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
According to Veterinarian IV Dr. Errol B. Javier, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian regularly visits the three islets every year to provide free rabies vaccination and castration services for dogs and other animals in the communities.
“Every year, we visit the three islets to conduct free rabies vaccination and castration. We have rabies-free communities here in our province. Although these are small communities, we continue to protect and maintain them so that they can remain rabies-free in the years to come,” Javier said.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Byron F. Dela Cruz emphasized that PVET is planning to identify a community for rabies-free declaration as a strategy in the province’s continuing campaign against rabies.
“We will maintain these areas, and it requires sustained vaccination, responsible pet ownership, regular monitoring, and the active participation of residents”, Dela Cruz noted.
Dela Cruz also highlighted that rabies-free communities demonstrate what can be achieved when government veterinary services and communities work together.
According to him, the continued absence of rabies cases in these areas reflects the importance of preventive measures, particularly routine vaccination and responsible management of pets.
He further encouraged residents to remain vigilant and continue having their pets vaccinated, while ensuring that dogs and cats are properly cared for and managed.
“Maintaining rabies-free status is a shared responsibility that requires consistent cooperation from pet owners, barangay officials, and veterinary personnel,” he stressed.
As part of these efforts, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, in partnership with OMAg Lake Sebu and the Barangay Officials of Poblacion, will conduct a Mass Castration and Rabies Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Activity in Barangay Poblacion, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, on August 13, 2026.
The activity will provide veterinary services and information to pet owners in support of the local declaration of a rabies-free community. It aims to strengthen responsible pet ownership, increase awareness of rabies prevention, and help control the population of free-roaming and unsterilized animals in the community.
The Provincial Government continues to encourage pet owners to take an active role in rabies prevention by having their pets vaccinated, practicing responsible pet ownership, and supporting community-based veterinary initiatives.
Through sustained collaboration among the provincial government, local communities, barangay officials, partner organizations, and pet owners, South Cotabato continues to work toward protecting more communities from rabies and sustaining those that have already achieved rabies-free status.
