The Quezon City government on Wednesday launched an antirabies vaccination drive targeting more than 300,000 dogs in the city.
The second district, which covers barangays Commonwealth, Batasan Hills, Holy Spirit, Bagong Silangan and Payatas, was chosen as the pilot area for the project, which was prompted by a reported rise in the number of rabies cases over the last two years.
The City Veterinary Office noted that 25 animal rabies cases were recorded last year, while 17 cases have already been recorded for the first half of 2016.
Quezon City is now one of the top five cities in the capital in terms of animal bite cases, which usually involve stray dogs, according to Dr. Ana Maria Cabel, the city veterinarian.
To address this, Cabel said, her office has set a mass registration of dogs and cats in the 142 barangays.
She also disclosed that the city government spends P3 million a year to procure around 5,000 vials of rabies vaccines.
Residents can seek treatment at the City Health Department office, where they can be provided two free vaccines for animal bites.