Asphalt overlay work on bridge on March 18

PERSONNEL of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH-7) and contractor PLD Construction will start working on the asphalt overlay of Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge on March 18.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said asphalt overlay work on the bridge was scheduled due to a major conference to be held in the city before March 18.

DPWH Asst. District Engr. Ricardo Renault said they recently completed the asphalt overlay in the old Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

Prior to the asphalt overlay, PLD Construction will work on the rusted portions of the Mandaue-Mactan bridge.

Renault said they will still work on a 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. schedule to avoid traffic congestion in the bridge. He said they also set up traffic safety signs to avoid vehicular accidents.

Last week a motorist identified as Ignacio Lamac, a resident of Barangay Carreta, Cebu City and a member of Tactical Security Agency died after his vehicle bumped into a parked dump truck in a no-entry zone near the bridge.

He was declared dead on arrival at the Mandaue City Hospital due to severe head injuries. “A traffic enforcer tried to stop him but he sped away,” Renault said./Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos

Security guard dies of rabies

A MALE security guard from barangay Mabolo died of rabies after being bitten by an infected dog last January.

“The rabies could have been treated if he had himself checked immediately so we can determine if he needed a rabies vaccine,” Dr. Pilar Romero, asst. chief of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) said.

In a press conference at the mayor’s office yesterday morning, Romero called on pet owners to register their animals at the DVMF office at the North Reclamation Area as part of the annual observance of March as Rabies Prevention Month.

He said the guard’s recent death was a setback in the city government’s campaign to reduce rabies cases this year and achieve a zero death record.

But Romero was unable to give data on the rabies cases in the city since January.

In 2012, 12 persons were reported infected with rabies but there were no casualties.

For P150 a year, pet cats and dogs can avail of free rabies vaccine and deworming from government veterinarians.

Dogs aged one month old may already avail of deworming while three-month old canines could be administered rabies vaccines.

If bitten, the patient is advised to immediately clean his or her wound and seek treatment.

“We already have an animal bite center at CCMC where bite patients can also go for treatment,” Romero said.

He warned that the non-registration of dogs and cats is punishable under Republic Act 9482 or the Anit-Rabies ACt of 2007.

The law requires the leashing of pets when brought outside of the house or be meted with fine of P500 per incident. Owners who refused to have their pets registered and immunized may be fined P2,000.

Owners who refuse to have their pets placed under observation after a biting incident will be fined P10, 000.

A P25,000 fine will be imposed on pet owners who refuse to shoulder the medical expenses of the person bitten by their pet.

DVMF recommended the filing of complaints against 23 owners who refused to have their pets registered.

Of the respondents, only one was recommended by the City Legal Office for the filing of a complaint in court.

Romero said Cebuanos should observe if the dog salivates profusely and displays aggressive behavior since it usually indicates that it is infected with rabies. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac