Vice Gov. Garcia: Zero rabies in sync with highest HDI thrust of Bataan

ORANI, Bataan –The zero rabies target is in line with the highest Human Development Index (HDI) ranking thrust of the provincial government of Bataan.

“Death by rabies is unnecessary. We want long life expectancy in the province in line with the highest HDI ranking thrust as we envisioned through the leadership of Gov. Abet Garcia”, said Vice Governor Cris Garcia in her message who led the  program of the provincial government’s  observance of the World Rabies Day in front of Orani municipal hall recently.

HDI is a composite statistic (composite index) of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries or provinces into four tiers of human development.

For the past years, Bataan places 5^th or 6^th in the HDI ranking. The provincial government is aspiring for the top spot.

“We are urging all of you to support the zero rabies thrust of the provincial government. Vaccinate your dogs and cats. Be responsible pet owners”, the vice governor told local folks who attended the program and availed of the free animal   castration and anti-rabies vaccination conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Office.

“We at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will support any legislation needed to achieve our zero rabies target”, she added.

For his part, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Alberto Venturina said, “Our dream is for Bataan to become the first rabies-free province in Central Luzon”.

Board Member Peping Villapando and Orani officials Mayor Bonjong Pascual, Vice Mayor Bong Galicia and Councilor Maya Bongco also joined the program.

Created in 2007 by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, World Rabies Day aims to raise community awareness of the disease and its prevention around the globe. The theme of this year’s World Rabies Day is “Zero by 30,” with the goal of reaching zero human deaths from canine rabies by the year 2030.