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WHEREAS, the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) requires that no indigenously acquired rabies infection has been confirmed in man and any animal species during the past 2 years;

WHEREAS, An effective system of disease surveillance for Human and Animal rabies has been set up and well implemented in the provinces. The activities will be handled by the DA-RFU for animal rabies and the DOH for human rabies;

WHEREAS, that all regulatory measures for the prevention and control of rabies have been implemented including effective importation procedures. It will be handled by the Veterinary Quarantine Service of the DA-RFU;

WHEREAS, no imported case in carnivores has been confirmed outside the quarantine station for the past 6 months;

NOW THEREFORE, I LUIS P. LORENZO JR., Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby issue this order;

SECTION 1. Guidelines on the implementation of the Rabies Free Zone in the Philippines

COLLABORATIVE MECHANISM

1. The Governor and Municipal Mayor must take charge of the implementation of the declared Free Zone in the province/city/municipality in their respective Constituents.
   
   
2. The Barangay officials must extend full support and cooperation to the Bantay Rabis sa Barangay headed by the Barangay Captain, who must take charge of the entry of new dogs and maintained the registry of all dogs in the catchments area.
    
3. The Provincial Rabies Control Committee in coordination with the Municipal Rabies Control Committee must oversee and implement the NRPCP policies and guidelines in maintaining the Free Zone in their respective area.
   
   
4. The DA/DOH Regional Rabies Control Committee of the Regional Office must supervise and assess the implementation of the Rabies Free Zone in the province.
   
   
5. The Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) of the DA-RFU and the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of DOH must continue to conduct the routine animal and human surveillance respectively.
   
   
6. RADDL must investigate on the occurrence of animal rabies case through the Provincial Veterinary Office and must accomplish the Animal Rabies Surveillance Report to be submitted monthly to the NRC, DA-BAI.
   
   
7. The RESU must investigate on the occurrence of any human rabies cases through the Provincial Health Office in the province and should accomplish the Human rabies surveillance report to be submitted to the NRPCP DOH.
    
8. The Central DA/DOH must conduct a joint monitoring of the implementation.
   
   
9. The DILG Regional/Provincial/Directors must monitor the compliance by the local chief executives and their respective roles as mandated under the Memorandum of Agreement.
   
   
10. The DOH must maintain the existing Animal Bite Treatment Center and establish more Bite Center with counterpart funding support from the Local Government Units for procurement of Human rabies vaccine.
    
    
11. The DEP-Ed must assist in the dissemination of information on rabies prevention and control in the community through the school as mandated by the Memorandum of Agreement.
    
    
12. The Local Government Unit must allocate funds from its Internal Revenue allotment which maybe used for procurement of vaccine and vaccination paraphernalia necessary for the control of rabies in their respective areas. This is in accordance with Section No. 4 of the E.O. No. 84, approved, March 13, 1999.

SECTION 2. REQUIREMENTS

1. Mass vaccination of dogs and other susceptible animals must be done every three years. Newly born dog will be vaccinated at age three month and given booster dose after a year. Dog/cat for transport must be vaccinated two weeks before shipment to the free zone areas. Vaccine for maintenance must be provided with the existing ordinance.
   
   
2. Prophylaxis immunization to high risk individuals such as Veterinarians staff of Rabies Diagnostic Lab, animal handler and others involved in rabies control must be maintained in rabies free areas. Likewise, post-exposure treatment of all the bite patients must also be maintained in the Rabies Free Zone, Human rabies vaccine must be shouldered by the respective LGUs.
   
   
3. Dog Control Measures must be implemented in accordance with the existing ordinance. Such, as dog registration and licensing, leashing, dog population control, elimination of stray and unregistered dogs and destruction and proper disposal of impounded dogs. Fees and other requirements must be in accordance with the existing ordinance.
    
4. Quarantine and Movement Controls should be imposed to ensure that any infected dogs or susceptible animals should be prevented from landing the free area. Inter-provincial/travel usually requires possession of health certificate and a proof of vaccination against rabies. Shipping permits are issued at the point of embarkation. Dogs/cats and other susceptible animals should be confiscated and quarantined for 30 days at the point of entry if no pertinent documents are presented to the Quarantine officer. Other quarantine rules must be in accordance with the DA-BAI regulations.
    
5. Information and Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. Responsible Pet Ownership should be pursued in all the public awareness drive in the provinces/cities and municipalities. It should be conducted using the print, broadcast and TV, putting up billboard and streamers in strategic areas and production and distribution of information materials should also be done to disseminate more information in all the barangays, so that the people and the community should know the importance of maintaining the rabies free zone in an area.

Adopted: 7 Oct. 2003

(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.
  Secretary