Mariano Marcos
State University

CVM, CAFSD lead anti-rabies drive in Batac

By Benedict Jay Collado

Demonstrating its dedication to community extension and animal welfare, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) spearheaded a house-to-house anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the City of Batac. 

The targeted initiative addressed the city’s highest-risk areas, conducting sequential drives in Barangay Bil-loca on July 13 and Barangay Baay on July 23 with close coordination with the City of Batac Veterinary Office and some local barangay health workers. 

Thirteen faculty members from the two colleges provided clinical leadership and supervision, while 18 senior veterinary students actively administered vaccines, gaining vital hands-on training in field epidemiology and preventive community medicine. 

During the field operation, the animal-welfare advocates successfully vaccinated 779 dogs and cats across the two barangays. This is by far the largest number of vaccinated animals this year in a single operation, according to their records. 

The house-to-house strategy, meanwhile, addressed a critical gap in rural public health as it overcame mobility constraints for pet owners to achieve herd immunity across localized animal populations. 

Additionally, the drive also served as a practical training laboratory for the vetmed students, applying their knowledge in real-world scenarios, such as helping the rural neighborhood vaccinate their pets for safer and more secure public health.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr. extended his commendation to the faculty and staff who initiated the activity. “This initiative directly reflects our dedication to comprehensive community service and to having a dynamic and holistic workforce, making sure that the community is affected by all the good programs of the university.”