The Legazpi City Veterinary Office (CVO) CHANGE or Community Harmony in the New GEneral Approach to Rabies Elimination Program with the theme: Towards a Meaningful Community Partnerships to End Rabies. It is timed to begin on March 28, 2023, the Philippines Rabies Month Celebration, and to end on September 28, 2023, on the World Rabies Day Celebration by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC).
The CHANGE Program combines various intersectoral approaches with the CVO sub-programs of (1) Regulations; (2) Communications and Advocacy; (3) Rabies Prevention and Control; (4) Research and Data Collection; (5) Education; (6) Enforcement; and (7) Multi-Sectoral Partnerships.
On March 28-30, 2023, the Junior Chamber International JC-LEGAZPI hosted their 3rd year two-day, Dog Show, entitled “There is Nothing Impossible from Our Guard Dogs” at the Ayala Malls, which sets the stage for many activities and the much anticipated relaunch of Ordinance No.1-2022, known to many as “The Barangay Responsible Owners of Dogs (BROD) Ordinance.”
BROD has two (2) unique aspects. First is the ‘No-Contact Apprehension"—the dog (in question) is no longer apprehended as the violation and/or corresponding fine(s) are directed to the “irresponsible dog owner. Second, is the projected thirty-five (35) BROD presentations (4 hours) to communities which may affect the city’s’ five socio-economic platforms ( ). These public forums includes, among others, the creation of the Barangay Responsible Owners of Dogs Enforcement Team (BRODET) Basic Dog Apprehension Training (1.5 hours) that will create a minimum of 440 deputized dog enforcement officers to enforce the new and enhanced ordinance.
Another BROD team which consists of the city veterinarian and a few selected volunteers will conduct training orientations for the rest of society-outside the grass root level. Its goals have strategic outputs of increasing multi-sectoral participation, education volunteerism, fund-raising and research and data gathering. The LESSARDO program, a pioneering dog rescue team collaboration between local government and uniformed personnel, is a new product and service offering
Listed below are the remaining activities from August 1 to September 29, 2023 Dog Adoption (Year 2): Pet Adoption Program, City Veterinary Office (CVO), August 30, 2023.
- Philippines Civil Service Week at the CSC Region 5 Field Office, August 23, 2023
- Neuter and Spayed Activity, Legazpi City Veterinary Clinic, August 27, 2023.
- Dog Show for a Cause (Charity for the Mayon Volcano Eruption Evacuees) JCI Legazpi-Dawani and the Manila Rescue Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Sawangan Park, Legazpi City on August 19, 2023
- Dog Obedience Training: 901.5 Auxiliary Coast Guard Bicol Brgy. Dap-Dap Gymnasium and media partner DZGB, Legazpi City. August 18, 2023
- Multi-stakeholder partnership meeting (MSPM) hosted by the Philippine Auxiliary Coast Guards. August 12, 2023.
The September activities will include the following: For its Research and Data Collection program, the CHANGE program brings new depth and linkages with three (3) partnership linkages (Sept. 14) with the Department of Health (DOH R5) , the Bicol Consortium for Research and Development (BCRRD, the College of Medicine - Bicol University.
A poster-making competition wwill involve the special children and PWDs of the Legazpi SPED Center. TBA is the exhibit date at the Legazpi Museo de Legazpi.
And on September 28, On World Rabies Day the CHANGE Program is focused on Education with the final BROD presentation to the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) and under this office is the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program. A MOU signing and approval of Responsible Dog Owners module/manual will bring the BROD Program inside the seventy-two (72) day care centers and to its day care workers. This project is expected to reach almost 8,000 individuals (preschoolers 3,500, Day Care workers 240, parents 3,500, and 700 barangay officials).
The Legazpi City Veterinary Office (CVO) “CHANGE Approach” has been featured on five (5) TV and radio stations, while its activities have been live-streamed, covered, and documented by seven (7) national and local Tri-Media entities. The media reports a redesigned strategic road map that highlights Legazpi City’s’ strong post-pandemic community partnerships anchored on SDG No 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." At the same time under the international direction and guidance of Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), achieve the following: ZERO Human Deaths by 2023 from Dogs Induced Rabies, the Philippines and Bicol Regions’ 2025-2030 Fifteen-Year Development Plan and finally for Legazpi City to be pet loving society and lead advocate for Animal Welfare.
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