22
May 2025
News
21st Annual Convention and Scientific Conference Awards
This special award as the Best Innovative Programs Implementer in Local Veterinary Services, given by the Provincial, City, and Municipal Veterinarians League of the Philippines (PCMVLP) on May 21, 2025, at Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, Subic, Zambales, during the PCMVLP 21st Annual Convention and Scientific Conference, would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our Local Chief Executive, Mayor Lovely Reynoso; the Sangguniang Panglungsod; the CRPCC and BRPCCs; the Barangay Rabies Coordinators; my dedicated staff; the various barangays and LGUs in the provinces of Quezon and Cavite who invited us to conduct Animal Control Officer’s (ACO) training in their areas; and everyone who believes in our vision and capabilities.
The following are the reasons i was selected to receive this award:
Title: Innovative Animal Control Program of the Office of the City Veterinarian of Tayabas
Overview:
Dr. Isagani Requizo, the City Veterinarian of Tayabas and Department Head of the Office of the City Veterinarian, has developed and implemented an innovative animal control program that not only strengthens local enforcement of Rabies Act, Animal Welfare Act, and animal control policies but also extends its impact through capacity-building efforts for other Local Government Units (LGUs), an activity of our office that is considered unique compared to other LGU veterinary offices:
Key Highlights of the Program:
a) Development of a Specialized Training Module:
The City Veterinarian took the initiative to develop a 3-day training and seminar module on rabies awareness, animal impounding, and dog pound management for Animal Control Officers (ACOs), particularly in LGUs without a municipal veterinarian.
b) Background and Inspiration:
This idea originated in 2008, when the Department of Health – Center for Health Development Region IV-A began regularly inviting City Veterinarian Dr. Isagani Requizo as a resource speaker for various rabies-related activities, including forums, symposiums, program implementation reviews, consultative meetings with stakeholders, and even DOH convention involving provincial, city, and municipal health officers. Through these engagements, we were able to share our expertise and best practices with other LGUs. This kind of resource is not commonly available in many local government units.
Why It’s Innovative?
a) Pioneering Initiative: Very few LGUs have formal training programs for ACOs due to the Bureau of Animal Industry’s limited capacity to create an extensive module for ACO Training. Our office took the initiative to fill this gap.
b) Replicable Model: The training module is designed for use by other LGUs, making it easy to adopt and sustainable solution which is a hallmark of innovative governance practices
c) Collaborative Impact: We proactively offer the module to neighboring LGUs, helping them implement, enhance and establish their own animal control programs.
d) Professionalization of ACOs: Through this initiative, ACOs are equipped with the knowledge and skills to act not just as enforcers, but as community educators and advocates elevating their professional roles.
Outcome:
This initiative exemplifies how the Office of the City Veterinarian of Tayabas can go beyond traditional roles and lead through innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building. The Animal Control Program serves as a model of good practice that contributes to both public health and animal welfare, while strengthening partnerships with other LGUs and stakeholders.
Related Articles
Popular Category
Recent Posts
