Table 3.
Examples of innovative WRD IEC activities conducted in the Philippines
| Activity | Organizer | Description of activity |
|---|---|---|
| School-Based WRD Activities | ||
| 1. Trash-to-Art making contest | City Veterinary Office, Marikina City, Metro Manila | With the theme, “Alaga Ko, Mahal Ko” (I Love My Pet), high school students participated in the competition which aimed to encourage the use of creative approaches such as the visual and performing arts to intensify the present awareness of the community on rabies. |
| 2. WRD activities in coordination with the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Council-Sorsogon | GSP Council; Provincial Veterinary Office, Province of Sorsogon | The GSP Council has been regularly conducting WRD activities that promote key messages on rabies, animal bite prevention and management, and responsible pet ownership among elementary and high school students since 2013 in partnership with the Provincial Veterinary Office (see Fig. 4). |
| 3. Third Provincial Rabies Quiz Bee | Provincial Veterinary Office, Province of Ilocos Norte | Elementary students joined the quiz bee which was held to raise rabies awareness and responsible pet ownership among the students and their parents. The questions were based on the Rabies Education Manual currently being used in the province. |
| 4. PRO DOG: Pet Responsible Ownership of Dogs | Armed Forces of the Philippines Veterinary Dispensary, Quezon City, Metro Manila | Elementary students along with their parents were educated on rabies, responsible pet ownership, dog vaccination, and proper bite management during the activity. The children had a storytelling and arts and crafts session including coloring of dog masks, origami-making and dog puppet - making while the parents attended a lecture. |
| Community-based WRD Activities | ||
| 5. Baklay 2013: Third Walk for a Cause | Alrae Veterinary Clinic, Municipality of Maramag, Province of Bukidnon | A Dog Walk was conducted to promote responsible pet ownership among members of the community. Other activities were conducted including a Dog Bite Prevention and Rabies Awareness Seminar and free veterinary services such as anti-rabies vaccination, consultation, and spay and neuter. |
| 6. Search for Rabies-free Village 2015 | City Veterinary Office, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila | With the aim to declare Muntinlupa City rabies-free by the year 2018 and be the first city in the National Capital Region to be declared as such, this activity was conducted to further strengthen collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders and officials at the village level, increase rabies awareness, and promote responsible pet ownership in the city. |
| 7. Second Tayabas Run Against Rabies | City Veterinary Office, Tayabas City, Province of Quezon | An activity that promoted both rabies prevention and health and wellness, the Fun Run was made possible through the participation of various sectors and agencies including teachers, students, police officers, local officials and rabies councils as well as the general public. |
| WRD Activities for Policy-Makers | ||
| 8. One Health Summit on Rabies and Food Animal Diseases | UPLB-CVM in coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office and Health Office of Laguna | Emphasizing the importance of the One Health approach, the activity served as a venue for different health professionals and local chief executives to discuss ground level implementation of rabies control and elimination programs. The Summit also gave an opportunity for the participants to share community issues, experiences, and best practices. |
| WRD Activities for Out-of-School Youth | ||
| 9. Si Bantay at Ako goes to He Cares Foundation | GARC in coordination with: - He Cares Foundation Street Children Caring Center - Marikina City Veterinary Office - Student Organizations from the University of the Philippines Los Baños |
Organized as part of GARC’s Out-of-School Intervention, various activities including a puppet show, group discussion, and arts and crafts session were conducted to educate and engage out-of-school and street children in urban communities specifically on animal bite prevention and responsible pet ownership. |