Iloilo city: The local government here on Tuesday launched the Veterinary Emergency and Tracking Alert System (VET Alert) aimed at accounting for all animals in cases of suspected diseases and during disasters. City veterinarian Dr. Fernando Abulencia said VET Alert is one of the flagship programs of their office. “This is a grassroots-based monitoring system for all 180 barangays in Iloilo City. We will train our community-based responders on the use of the digital dashboard for reporting,” he said in an interview. While waiting for the dashboard from the Bureau of Animal Industry, which will be available in the first week of October, they will be using a logbook. He added that through the program, they will have an inventory of all kinds of animals, not just dogs and cats. “If we have problems, like in the case of an outbreak, it will be easier to detect and contain,” he added. Abulencia said other than the list they have during vaccination, their basis for the inventory is a mere 10 percent of the projecte
d human population.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program launch was attended by animal health and welfare officers or focal persons from 25 villages of Molo district. Councilor Johnny Young, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) Committee on Animal Welfare, said in his message that the system is a reminder of the duties of veterinarians, animal health workers, local authorities and community members. “Disasters such as typhoons, floods, disease outbreaks and even human conflicts often leave animals vulnerable, neglected and in danger. It is in these moments that our preparedness and quick response can save countless lives,” he said. The focal persons were oriented about animal disease surveillance and monitoring and took their oaths as deputized officers.