Strengthening Local Rabies Control and Prevention

Senate Offier of the doccretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 0C7 -1 P4:14 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1435 S. No. - Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AND PREVENTION BY MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CREATE LOCAL RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL COMMITTEES AND TO ESTABLISH LOCAL VETERINARY OFFICES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9482, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ANTI-RABIES ACT OF 2007" EXPLANATORY NOTE Zoonotic diseases - illnesses transmitted between animals and humans - pose a serious and growing threat to public health and welfare in the Philippines. The country's tropical climate, high population density, close proximity between humans and animals, and limited public veterinary and health services create an environment for diseases such as rabies, swine fever, avian flu, and leptospirosis to spread and persist, resulting in preventable deaths and social and economic disruptions. The roots of this problem can be traced to the inadequate structure and coordination of public health and veterinary services particularly at the local level. In the implementation of Republic Act No. 9482, for instance, only provinces, cities and first-class municipalities are required to appoint veterinarians and establish veterinary offices. Additionally, mechanisms to coordinate efforts of various government agencies and instrumentalities are lacking, which results in inconsistent and fragmented implementation of the law across local governments. This bill seeks to address this situation by mandating the creation of local rabies prevention and control committees, the appointment of local veterinarians, and the establishment of local veterinary offices. These interventions will enhance the capacity of local governments in implementing programs and measures on vaccination, animal control, and public information and awareness - ultimately contributing to the reduction, if not elimination, of rabies and other zoonotic diseases in the country. In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is respectfully sought. FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO

Sentate Gulich of tho doecreiare TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) OST -1 P4:14 SENATE RECEIVED BY.... 1435 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AND PREVENTION BY MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CREATE LOCAL RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL COMMITTEES AND TO ESTABLISH LOCAL VETERINARY OFFICES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9482, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ANTI-RABIES ACT OF 2007" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. A new Section 4-A shall be inserted after Section 4 of Republic Act

2 No. 9482, which shall read as follows: "SEC. 4-A. LOCAL RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL COMMITTEE. - EACH PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT SHALL ESTABLISH ITS RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL COMMITTEE, TO BE COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING: (A) LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OR HIS/HER REPRESENTATIVE AS CHAIRPERSON; (B) ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE LOCAL SANGGUNIAN; (C) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROVINCIAL, CITY, OR MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICE; (D) REPRESENTATIVE OF PROVINCIAL, CITY, OR MUNICIPAL VETERINARY OFFICE;

(E) REPRESENTATIVE OF SCHOOL DIVISION OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; (F) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROVINCIAL, DISTRICT, CITY OR MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE; AND (G) AT LEAST ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE FROM NON- GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN ANIMAL WELFARE OR PUBLIC HEALTH."

Sec. 2. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9482 is hereby amended to read

as follows: "SEC. 7. Responsibilities of the LGUs. - LGUs, in their respective localities, shall: "x xx; "(10) Appoint a veterinarian and establish a veterinary office in every province, city and [first class] municipalityl: Provided, That the other municipalities shall, on their own, opt to share the expense of having a veterinary office]. "XXX."

Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive

orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. Approved,