(NAR) VOL. 19 NO. 3 / JULY - SEPTEMBER 2008
a. it shall identify activities, projects and priority areas for rabies elimination.
b. It shall prepare and recommend the work and financial plans for the Program for inclusion in the respective agency budget proposals under the General Appropriation Act.
c. It shall identify other sources of funds and authorize receipt of grants/donations to support the implementation of the Program.
d. It shall prepare and recommendations the operational budget of the Commit tee and its Secretariat for inclusion in the annual appropriations of the DA and DOH.
e. It shall monitor the activities contained in the Program by the participating agencies and organizations.
f. It shall recommend and coordinate the conduct of researches on rabies, its prevention, control and eradication in coordination with other agencies.
g. It shall recommend the rabies-free for the joint declaration of the DA and DOH.
h. it shall conduct a national performance evaluation annually or as deemed necessary and assess if the objectives of the program were achieved. Corollarily it shall prepare the national annual report.
a. The LGUs shall implement the mass registration and vaccination of dogs in accordance with the program set forth by the Committee.Rule 4.2.2 Establishment of a central database system for registered and vaccinated dogs-
b. The initial national mass registration and vaccination shall commence not later than March 31, 2008 to coincide with the Rabies Awareness Month and thereafter it shall be held annually.
c. In all cases, the vaccination of dogs shall be performed by a duly licensed veterinarian or by a trained vaccinator under direct veterinary supervision.
d. All dogs shall be registered by their owners with their respective LGUs. Owners with vaccinated dogs shall submit record or proof of vaccination signed by a duly licensed veterinarian upon registration.
e. Transfer of ownership of dogs and its subsequent registration shall be cov ered by appropriate rules to be set by the Committee.
f. The Committee shall prescribe the appropriate dog tagging/identification sys- tem to be used by the LGU and private practitioners and may impose collection of fees therefor.
g. Only inactivated rabies vaccines registered and licensed by the BAl and recommended by the Committee shall be used.
h. Vaccination protocol for special cases shall be issued by the Committee when necessary.
i. All mass vaccination conducted by NGOs, POs and private entities shall always be coordinated with the respective LGUs.
a. A central database system for registered and vaccinated dogs shall be established by the BAI as depository of records from the date submitted monthly by the LGU Veterinary Services.Rule 4.2.3 Impounding, field control and disposition of unregistered, stray and unvaccinated dog
b. The BAI shall collate from the submitted reports of LGUs copy furnished the DA-RFUs, the total registered, vaccinated dogs and other relevant information as basis for policy formulation.
a. The Committee shall set and establish the standards/guidelines for the im pounding, field control and disposition of unregistered, stray, unvaccinated dogs.Rule 4.2.4 Conduct of information and education campaign on the prevention and control of rabies
b. Acentral registry of government and private animal control facilities shall be established by the Animal Welfare Division of the DA-BAI.
a. Rabies education and Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) modules as ap proved by the Committee shall be included in elementary and high school cur riculum.Rule 4.2.5 Provision on pre-exposurc treatment to high risk personnel and Post-Exposure Treatment to animal bite victims
b. Public lectures on responsible pet ownership and rabies awareness shall be conducted.
c The Rabies Awareness Month (March) and the World Rabies Day (28th of September) shall be observed nationwide.
d. Rabies informational materials shall be made readily available by all con cerned agencies.
a. All hired personnel or volunteers of private or government facilities including but not limited to veterinary clinics, hospitals and offices, hospitals with human rabies units, rabies diagnostic laboratories, animal control facilities and all other similar establishments shall receive rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis prior to working.Rule 4.2.6 Provision of free routine immunization or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (P. E. P) Of schoolchildren aged five to fourteen in areas where there is high incidence of rabies
b. The Committee in consultation with the DOH shall set the guidelines for the implementation of the PEP including that for the establishment of ABTC and ABCs.
c. ABTCs shall be established to provide PET to all animal bite victims from all cities and/or municipalities.
a. The Committee shall identify areas where there is high incidence of rabies necessitating P.E.P for school children aged five to fourteen.4.2.7 Encouragement of the practice of responsible pet ownership.
b. The Committee shall ensure that the DOH, in coordination with the LGUs, DepEd and DSWD shall provide free routine pre-exposure prophylaxis of school- children aged five to fourteen in those areas identified pursuant to 4.2.6.a.
c. The Program, through the DOH, shall encourage the inclusion of anti-rabies . vaccination among the recommended childhood immunization.
a. All committee members tasked to implement the program shall undertake activities in promoting Responsible Pet Ownership.SECTION 5. Responsibility of Pet Owners - All Pet Owners shall be required to;
b. Concerned citizens shall report to the proper authorities the presence of stray or abandoned dogs, instances of abuse or irresponsible actions of dog; owners such as but not limited to neglect and infliction of harm.
c. Pet owners shall be provided information on RPO such as grooming, health care, proper nutrition, shelter, and others during registration and vaccination events.
Rule 5 (a) 1. The pet owner shall keep the LGU issued registration card con taining the permanent number, physical characteristics of the dog including but not limited to age, color, sex, breed, distinguishing marks and others.b. Submit their Dogs for mandatory registration.
Rule 5 (a) 2. The registration card shall be presented during annual revaccination and when deemed necessary.
Rule 5 (a) 3. The registration card shall likewise contain all rabies vaccinations conducted on their Dog. The record shall indicate the registration number of the dog, date of vaccination, the attending veterinarian, with the corresponding updated PRC license, TIN and PTR numbers and shall be signed by the same.
Rule 5 (b) 1. The pet owner shall renew the registration of their dogs with the LGU Veterinary Services, Municipal Agriculture Offices or appropriate government office annually.c. Maintain control over their Dog and not allow it to roam the streets or any Public Place Without a leash.
Rule 5 (c)1. The length of the leash shall not be more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) and the required dog tag shall be attached to the dog collar/harness. Aggressive dogs shall be muzzled in public places.d. Be a responsible Owner by providing their Dog with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter.
Rule 5(c) 2. The Committee shall issue guidelines on the handling of dogs in designated dog activity areas.
Rule 5(c) 3. The owner shall be responsible for the proper collection and disposal of excreta/feces.
Rule 5 (d).1 Pet owners shall maintain good human-animal relationship and provide good health management program for their dogs.e. Within twenty four (24) hours, report immediately any Dog biting incident to the Concerned Officials for investigation or for any appropriate action and place such Dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian.
Rule 5 (e) 1. The dog shall not be killed or euthanized during the observation period of 14 days from the biting incident.f. Assist the Dog bite victim immediately and shoulder the medical expenses incurred and other incidental expenses relative to the victim's injuries.
Rule 5 (e) 2. Should the dog die during the observation period, the pet owner shall immediately submit the dog for rabies laboratory examination.
Rule 5 (e) 3. Unvaccinated dogs bitten by a confirmed rabid animal shall be euthanized immediately and disposed of properly.
Rule 5 (e) 4. Dogs bitten by another dog suspected to be rabid or of unknown status should be confined and maintained under veterinary supervision for 6 months.
Rule 5 (e) 5. If the animal has been vaccinated previously {and its vaccination certificate is available) and can be identified with certainty (e.g. tattoo) it should be revaccinated immediately and confined for at least 90 days. Post-exposure vaccination of uncertain effectiveness should be discouraged.
Rule 5 (f). 1 Humans bitten by dogs shall be provided treatment by the appropriate government or private medical practitioner. Animals bitten by dogs shall be provided treatment by the appropriate government or private veterinary practitioner.SECTION 6. Responsibilities of Government Agencies - The following government agencies, which shall jointly implement the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program, shall be tasked to:
Rule 6A (1).1 It shall be the duty of the DA to ensure and maintain accurate diagnosis by improving and upgrading existing animal Rabies diagnostic laboratories with confirmatory capabilities through the following:(2) Ensure availability and adequate supply of animal anti-rabies vaccines at all times.
a. comply with WHO and OlEs minimum standard requirements for the na tional, regional and satellite rabies diagnostic laboratories.
b. develop and maintain capable manpower complement for all the rabies diagnostic laboratories. The DA shall allocate funds for the incentives of labora tory personnel under the Magna Carta for public health workers and similar programs.
c. adopt guidelines drafted by the Committee on Quality Assurance and requirements of rabies diagnostic laboratories.
d. accredit rabies diagnostic laboratories (by the BAI).
e. ensure continuous availability of reagents and supplies in the regional laboratories for the diagnosis of animal rabies.
f. in cooperation with the DOH, shall conduct regular training/refresher courses for personnel of the rabies diagnostic laboratories including laboratory biosafety procedures and proper disposal of specimens and carcasses.
Rule 6A (2). 1 The DA may seek assistance from other agencies to augment available dog rabies vaccines to effectively carry out this program.(3) Undertake free anti-Rabies vaccination of Dogs giving priority to high risk depressed areas.
Rule 6A (3). 1. The DA, in coordination with the LGU and other member agencies, shall spearhead mass vaccination in the high risk depressed areas identified by the Committee.(4) Maintain and improve animal rabies surveillance system.
Rule 6A (4).1. Considering that Rabies is a notifiable disease, the DA shall issue a directive for the compulsory reporting of dogs suspected of being rabid.(5) Establish and maintain Rabies free zone in coordination with the LGUs.
Rule 6A(4).2. All owners/operators of animal facilities shall be required by the DA to report incidents of animal rabies in their facilities.
Rule 6A(4).3. The DA shall ensure that laboratory tests are conducted to confirm reports of incidence of rabies.
Rule 6A (4)-4. The DA shall direct and ensure that there is a thorough investigation of all incidences of reported dog rabies cases.
Rule 6A(5). 1 in collaboration with the DOH, the DA shall establish and maintain Rabies-Free Zones in accordance with OIE guidelines for declaration of Free zone.(6) Immediately facilitate for the approval of the sale and use of Veterinary and Human Barbiturate drugs and veterinary euthanasia drugs by the DOH and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Rule 6B (1 ).1 - DOH shall set the criteria for human rabies vaccines and immu-noglobulins which shall be used in the human anti-rabies vaccination.(2) Provide Post-Exposure Treatment at the minimum expense to the individuals bitten by the animals suspected of being rabid which will consist of the initial vaccine and immunoglobin dose
Rule 6B (1 ),2. It shall also encourage the LGUs to appropriate funds from Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for the purchase of rabies vaccines.
Rule 6B (1 ).3. Augmentation of rabies vaccines to all government ABTCs through the Center for Health Development (CHD) shall be provided by the DOH.
Rule 6B(2).1 The DOH shall coordinate with the LGUs in the establishment of additional ABTCs in underserved areas in order to make PET more accessible.(3) Provide Pre-Exposure Treatment to high risk personnel such as, but not limited to laboratory staff, veterinarian, animal handlers, vaccinators and other persons working with Rabies for free.
Rule 6B(2).2 Through the ABTC, the DOH shall provide the initial vaccines and irnmunoglobulins for animal bite victims.
Rule 6B(2).3. The DOH shall also develop and regularly update the guidelines for the management of animal bite and human rabies cases based on recommendations of the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and other international experts, foreign and local literature, updated local data, etc.
Rule 6B(2).4 It shall be incumbent upon the DOH to conduct regular training and update of Animal Bite Treatment Center (ABTC) staff. In this connection, it shall develop a quality assurance system to include accreditation and monitor- ing of all government ABTCs and private rabies treatment center.
Rule 6B(5).1 The LGU-CHO/MHO shall be directed by the DOH to regularly submit monitoring reports of human rabies cases to CHD.(6) Encourage collaborative activities with the DA, DepEd, DILG, DENR, NGOs, POsand other concerned sectors.
Rule 6B(5).2 All owners/operators of medical health facilities shall also be required to report all human rabies cases to DOH or CHD.
Rule 6B(5).3 Ensure thorough investigation of all reported human rabies cases.
Rule 6C(1 ).1. Include programs for rabies prevention, control and RPO in school activities in all elementary, secondary student councils and campus organizations(2) Assist in the Dog mass immunization campaigns in the community.
Rule 6C(1).2 Participate actively in rabies prevention and control programs, and training activities initiated by government agencies/NGOs in the community, and as part of their extension/co-curricular activities.
Rule6C(1).3 Require schools to have special activities to increase awareness on RPO especially during the Rabies Awareness Month in March and World Rabies Day on September 28 of every year.
Rule 6Cf 2). 1 Participate actively during dog mass vaccination and registration campaign primarily through information dissemination.(3) Encourage collaborative activities with the DA, DOH, DILG, DENR, NGOs, POs and ' concerned sectors.
Rule6C(3).1 Coordinate with the LGUs, other government agencies and NGOs in the various advocacy activities in schools and communities.(4) integrate proper information and education on responsible pet ownership in the relevant: . subjects in the Elementary and High Schools Levels.
Rule6C(3).2. Coordinate with the DOH in the PEP of school children.
Rule 6C(4).1 Continuously develop, update and adopt learning packages to support the existing rabies education concepts/contents in the textbooks and other instructional materials.SECTION 7. Responsibilities of the LGUs - LGUs in their respective localities shall:
Rule 6C(4).2 Mobilize school health personnel to supplement and complement classroom instruction on rabies prevention/control messages and RPO to students and parents.
Rule6C(4).3. Integrate the concepts of rabies prevention, control and RPO in the Alternative Learning System.
Rule 7(1 ).1 The LGUs shall register and vaccinate all dogs in their jurisdiction annually.(2) Strictly enforce Dog Impounding activities and field control to eliminate Stray Dogs.
Rule 7(1).2 The LGUs shall adhere to the standard dog tagging system as prescribed by the Committee.
Rule 7(1). 3 In the transport of dogs, the LGU shall verify or require registration. records as proof of ownership.
Rule 7(2).1 Establish and maintain dog pounds as prescribed by the Committee.(3) Ensure that Dogs are leashed or confined within the premises of the Owner's house or Owner's fenced surroundings.
Rule 7(2).2 May enter into an agreement with the private service provider for impounding facilities.
Rule 7(4). 1 The Sangguntan shall allocate funds for the implementation of the LGU Rabies Control Program as prepared by the Local Rabies Control Committee.(5) Ensure the enforcement of Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8485 or "The Animal Welfare Act of 1998".
Rule 7(4).2 The LRCC shall source additional resources such as but not limited to the development funds of Legislators for the program.
Rule 7(6). 1 A model generic ordinance shall be formulated by the Committee for adoption of the LGUs including but not limited to the following provisions: a) registration and vaccination; b.) Responsible Pet Ownership; c) regulation of "tandok'1; d) control of strays, leashing and confinement; e) establishment and operation of animal control facility; f) dog and dog meat trading, movement and consumption; g) dog population control; h) Information, Education and Communication campaign; i) fund sourcing and generation; j) incentives and penalties; k) appointment of LGU veterinarian and establishment of veterinary office/ facilities; and I) any other provisions relevant to the program.(7) Prohibit the trade of Dogs for meat-
Rule 7(7). 1 Strictly enforce ordinances and other regulations prohibiting the trading of dogs for meat.(8) With respect to cities and first class municipalities, establish and maintain the Dog Pound where Impounded Dogs shall be kept, in accordance with Section 9 herein: Pro vided, That the other municipalities, shall, on their own, establish a Dog Pound or opt to share the expense of establishing and maintaining a Dog Pound and other adjoining mu nicipalities and/or with private animal shelters and control facilities.
Rule 7(7).2 The trade of dogs shall include bat shall not be limited to buying and/or selling of dogs, dog meats and carcasses, dog farming, collecting, and/ or slaughtering of dogs for commercial consumption.
Rule 7(8). 1 The dog pound shall be established following the standards/guide- lines set by the Committee and registered with the AWD as provided by Rule ;4.2.3 (a) and (b) within the initial year of the implementation of the Program.(9) Prohibit the use of electrocution as a euthanasia procedure.
Rule 7(9). 1 Impounded dogs not redeemed nor adopted or have gone beyond the allowable period for stay in the pound shall be euthanized by a method allowed under AO 21 B series of 1999. In no instance shall euthanasia by electrocution be performed.(10) Appoint a veterinarian and establish a veterinary office in every province, city and first class municipality. Provided, that the other municipalities shall, on their own, opt to share expenses of having a veterinary office.
Rule 9(2). 1. Any animal impounded which is not reclaimed by it owner within 72 hours shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be disposed of by the LGU through adoption or euthanasia. Provided, however, that the said animal shall be euthanized immediately if:(3) A fee shall be paid by owners of impounded dogs to the LGU concerned, pursuant to Section 7 hereof.
(a) it is dangerous to retain;
(b) it is suffering from pain or discomfort;
(c) it is diagnosed with a contagious and highly communicable disease ei ther to humans or animals.
Rule 9(2).2 In the event that an impounded dog is suspected with rabies it shall be isolated and observed accordingly and upon death must be submitted for . laboratory examination.
Rule 9(2).3. The pound operator shall follow appropriate methods for the disposal of euthanized animals as prescribed by the Committee.
Rule 9(3).1. To defray expenses in the operation of the pound, the operator shall be authorized to charge fees from the prospective foster owner upon adoption of the dog.SECTION 10. Dog Population Control - In furtherance of the policy of this Act to eradicate Rabies, there is the need to control the dog population and minimize the number of unwanted stray dogs. As such, it is hereby mandated:
Rule 18.1 These IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.APPROVED,
(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP | (SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE, III, MD |
Secretary | Secretary |
Department of Agriculture | Department of Health |
(SGD.) JESLI A. LAPUS | |
Secretary | |
Department of Education |