Safer communities begin with healthy and protected animals.
This has been the guiding principle of the Iloilo City Government as the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet), under the leadership of City Veterinarian Dr. Fernando Abulencia, rolled out programs that have significantly strengthened animal welfare, rabies prevention, and responsible pet ownership during the first year of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas' administration.
Anchored on the vision of creating "Healthy Pets,
Safe Communities," the city launched the Iloilo City P.E.T.S. (Protect.
Educate. Track. Sterilize.) Program—a comprehensive initiative that integrates
rabies control, stray animal population management, pet registration,
microchipping, sterilization, rescue, adoption, and public education.
Complementing the program are VetAlert (Veterinary
Emergency and Tracking Alert System), which strengthens early disease detection
and rapid outbreak response, and PAWTect (Safe Paws, Safe Iloilo City), which
promotes animal welfare enforcement, disaster preparedness, rescue, and
emergency care while fostering a culture of compassion and responsible pet
ownership.
The city's intensified campaign has translated into
tangible gains. From July 1,2025 through June 30, 2026, Iloilo City vaccinated
39,909 dogs and cats against rabies through walk-in services, field vaccination
drives, and special vaccination activities. The city also sterilized 1,265
animals, including 524 spayed and 741 neutered dogs and cats, helping curb the
stray animal population through humane and sustainable measures.
OCVet likewise rescued 101 dogs and provided 194
veterinary consultations, ensuring timely medical care and intervention for
animals in need.
Recognizing that public awareness is essential to
long-term success, the city conducted 40 education and information campaign
sessions in schools and communities, reaching 8,115 participants and promoting
responsible pet ownership, rabies prevention, and animal welfare.
At the barangay level, the city organized BAWHOs (Barangay Animal Welfare and Health Officers) in 145 barangays, strengthening grassroots monitoring, early reporting, and rapid response to animal health concerns.
The office also issued 505 veterinary health
certificates to support the regulated movement of animals and continues to
conduct daily stray animal monitoring and assistance operations to help keep
communities safe.
The city's sustained efforts have produced encouraging
public health outcomes. Despite recording 12 canine rabies cases in 2025 and
four cases as of June 30, 2026, Iloilo City maintained zero reported human
rabies cases and zero human rabies deaths during the same period—a testament to
the effectiveness of its aggressive vaccination campaign, community education,
and coordinated response.
Performance data also showed that the OCVet exceeded
its major operational targets for rabies vaccination, spay and neuter services,
and dog impounding and assistance.
Moving forward, the city aims to sustain its high
vaccination coverage, implement mandatory pet registration through pet tagging
and microchipping, expand sterilization and adoption initiatives, and further
strengthen barangay-based digital monitoring through VetAlert to enhance
disease surveillance and emergency response.
For Mayor Treñas, investing in animal welfare is also
an investment in healthier, safer, and more compassionate communities. Through
strengthened veterinary services and active community participation, Iloilo
City continues to demonstrate that responsible pet ownership and effective
public health programs go hand in hand in building a more livable city for both
people and animals. (Iloilo City PIO)