Academe, Government and Private Sector Collaboration on Rabies Control and Prevention in Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines

Jose M. Obedencio, Jr. (Central Mindanao University)
Lucky Ray G. Carangcarang (Central Mindanao University)
Ruan P. Obedencio (Maramag Local Government Unit)
Alan P. Dargantes (Central Mindanao University)
Jose V. Obedencio (Maramag Local Government Unit)
Evangeline C. Revilla (Maramag Local Government Unit)

One of the targets for the sustainable development goals is to end the epidemics of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which include rabies.  Rabies has claimed 200 to 300 lives of Filipinos annually.  The province of Bukidnon ranks highest in number of rabies cases in the Philippines.   In Maramag, Bukidnon, there are around 2,000 cases of animal bites every year. 

At present, the local government unit (LGU) of Maramag has no municipal veterinarian to address this public health issue thus, animal rabies in the municipality has not been prioritized by the LGU.  It is in this context that LGU Maramag collaborated with Central Mindanao University, national agencies, non-governmental organizations on Research, Development and Extension activities for rabies prevention and control in the locality.

In the study “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Rabies Control and Prevention among Residents in Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines”, majority of the residents have low to poor level of knowledge and practices on rabies prevention and control. 
The information that were derived in this study as part of the collaborative project were vital input in drafting local ordinances and planning out necessary measures to improve the programs and strategies aimed at controlling and preventing rabies in Maramag, Bukidnon.  

Powerpoint Presentation