City vet's office gets two vans, five bikes

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday turned over vans and motorcycles worth P1.8 million to the City Veterinarian Office at the city hall grounds.

The two vans and five motorcycles will help boost the campaign against stray dogs, illegal pigpens, and illegal slaughtering.

City veterinarian Ma. Daisy Penetrante said a van will be assigned to the dog pound while another will be sent to the task force on meat.

The motorcycles will go to meat inspectors.

He said the mayor wants the city to be rabies free by 2020 the reason why her office is rounding up stray dogs and conducting free dog and cat vaccinations.

Penetrante estimates the dog population at 8,000, based on the number of dogs vaccinated last year.

According to Penetrante, the city government has lately scored a victory against illegal pigpens and slaughtering with the demolition of illegal pigpens in barangay Mantuyong.

Barangay Mantuyong captain Antonio Maquilan, one of the 15 owners of the illegal pigpens now conforms to the campaign after having publicly apologized for his attempt to block the demolition.

Penetrante said hog dealers now avail of the facilities of the city’s modern abattoir located at a reclamation area in Labogon. (FREEMAN)