City Councilor Melbourne T. Bustamante has authored a comprehensive draft ordinance aimed at establishing robust rabies prevention measures in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, as local officials respond to growing concerns over dog bite incidents across the Philippines.
The proposed “City Rabies Prevention and Control Ordinance,” designated as Draft Ordinance No. 2021-26, introduces a systematic framework requiring all dogs three months and older to receive mandatory annual rabies vaccinations, while implementing stringent animal control protocols throughout the city.
Local authorities cite national data indicating that canine attacks have become a primary source of illness and injury nationwide, driving the urgent need for preventive legislation to safeguard community health.
Financial Structure and Pet Documentation
The legislation establishes affordable fee schedules for pet owners, setting vaccination costs at PHP 10.00 annually and requiring a one-time registration payment of PHP 50.00. All dog owners must complete annual registration procedures through the City Veterinary Office, with fee collection managed by the City Treasurer’s Office.
Compliance verification would involve numbered identification tags attached to pet collars, serving as visible proof of vaccination and registration status. Newcomers to Guihulngan City would receive a 30-day adjustment period for pet registration, while temporary visitors staying under 30 days could present existing vaccination documentation for exemption.
Multi-Level Administrative Framework
The ordinance creates dual administrative structures operating at city and barangay levels. The City Rabies Prevention and Control Committee (CRPCC) would function under mayoral leadership, with the City Veterinarian and City Health Officer serving as deputy chairmen.
CRPCC membership encompasses Sangguniang Panlungsod health and agriculture committee chairs, the Liga ng mga Barangay president, all 33 barangay leaders, the police chief, and NGO representatives, ensuring comprehensive stakeholder participation.
Individual barangays would establish Barangay Rabies Prevention and Control Committees (BRPCC) under punong barangay direction. These grassroots units would compile comprehensive pet population databases, coordinate vaccination drives, document bite incidents, and propose localized prevention strategies.
BRPCC authority extends to requesting mass stray animal removal operations and recommending specific measures for reducing rabies transmission within their jurisdictions.
Animal Impoundment and Public Safety Measures
Stray animals are defined as unleashed pets wandering public spaces or areas beyond owner property boundaries. Such animals face impoundment at city-managed facilities supervised by the City Veterinarian.
A three-day notification system allows owners to reclaim impounded pets by paying PHP 500.00 poundage fees plus any medical or vaccination expenses incurred. Unclaimed animals after the notice period become available for adoption by qualified individuals.
The ordinance incorporates humane euthanasia provisions for animals deemed dangerous, diseased, or suffering, following Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 21 guidelines from 1999.
Commercial Enterprise Regulations
Veterinary clinics, pet retailers, and breeding facilities housing more than 10 dogs must obtain PHP 500.00 business licenses and register with the City Veterinary Office. These establishments must submit quarterly inventory reports detailing all animals under their care.
Registration violations or missing animal inventories result in PHP 1,000.00 penalties, while failure to provide vaccination certificates may trigger animal confiscation procedures.
Incident Response and Financial Liability
Dog bite incidents trigger mandatory 14-day quarantine periods for involved animals, with owners or victims required to notify the City Health Office within 24 hours. Pet owners assume medical expense responsibility for bites occurring outside enclosed premises or when victims were legally present on owner property.
However, owners avoid liability when unauthorized individuals trespass on enclosed private property. Animals showing rabies symptoms face immediate destruction, with head specimens forwarded to appropriate testing facilities.
Personnel Safety and Medical Support
City Veterinary Office staff conducting vaccination and animal handling operations receive comprehensive protection through free pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis. Personnel bitten during official duties receive municipal medical assistance and support services.
Enforcement and Sanctions
Violation penalties increase progressively: PHP 1,500.00 for initial offenses, PHP 2,500.00 and potential 30-day incarceration for second violations, and PHP 5,000.00 with up to three-month imprisonment for third infractions.
The ordinance permits amicable settlement options, allowing violators to pay fines directly to the City Treasurer during preliminary investigations.
Traditional Practice Restrictions
A significant provision prohibits “tandok” folk medicine practices for animal bite treatment, ensuring victims receive proper medical care instead of traditional remedies.
Implementation requires annual budget allocations covering vaccination programs and related expenses, with funding amounts determined through Sanggunian review of committee recommendations. The ordinance becomes effective after 15 consecutive days of public posting in the poblacion and all barangays, subject to Sangguniang Panlungsod approval.
This comprehensive legislation demonstrates Guihulngan City’s dedication to public health protection and responsible pet ownership standards.
