By Raidenson M. Tumilba

Learners from Uswag San Isidro Elementary School came together with CPU students and faculty, esteemed participants and guests for a heartfelt group photo, immortalizing the shared commitment and camaraderie that marked the success of the symposium.

On March 21, 2025, the Central Philippine University College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES) – Community Engagement Service Learning (CESL) Outreach Program has successfully hosted an Anti-Rabies Symposium in celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month with the theme “Rabies Free na Pusa’t Aso, Kaligtasan ng Pamilyang Pilipino” at Uswag San Isidro Elementary School Gymnasium in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City. The event aimed to educate the community about rabies prevention and control and highlight the vital role of the responsibility of pet owners, reinforcing CPU’s commitment to public health and community engagement.

Mr.  Apollo S. Garcia, Master Teacher I, representative of the Uswag San Isidro Elementary School, warmly welcomed the participants and guests, and expressed his gratitude to the attendees for their participation.  He emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing rabies.  Mr. Erwin Bangha-on, Jr., CARES student and the major facilitator of this symposium, introduced the participants & guests.  The participants consisted of the learners from the Uswag San Isidro Elementary School and parents, resource persons from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VI, barangay officials, partners from the private sector, and CARES Faculty and students.

Dr. Joyce Wendam, a faculty member and CARES CESL Coordinator, presented the rationale behind the symposium.  She stressed that this symposium is part of the outreach project of the CARES-CESL, and its main objective is to raise awareness among the participants the importance of rabies prevention and control through Information campaigns and promoting responsible pet ownership among pet owners ultimately aiming to prevent human deaths from rabies. This activity proved to be an important contribution of the CPU CARES-CESL in the celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month being held every month of March each year.

CPU-CARES students pose a group photo together with Dr. Joyce Wendam and Dr. Jonic Natividad recognizing their valuable contributions to this event.

Dr. Jaime C. Cabarles, Jr., Dean of CARES, and the Barangay Captain of San Isidro, Ms. Ruby Gallano, delivered their inspirational messages to motivate the participants and gave them their invaluable insights on the importance of rabies prevention and control.

The heart of the symposium began with an in-depth session on “Rabies Awareness & Prevention” presented by Dr. Jonic Natividad, Chief of the Regulatory Division at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VI (DA RFO VI) and also a CARES faculty member. With his knowledge and expertise, Dr. Jonic Natividad explained the nature and danger of rabies, its transmission through animal bites and the importance of immediate treatment against rabies. He also explained that this disease remains 100% fatal once symptoms appear but it is also entirely preventable with timely vaccination and awareness.

Dr. Pacifico Lumawag III, a veterinarian, who is also from the DA RFO VI, oriented the participants on “Responsible Pet Ownership.” He explained the importance of vaccination and urged the pet owners to be responsible of their pets by having them vaccinated regularly. His insights resonated with the attendees, as he outlined a simple yet effective steps to protect both the pets and people.

Following the presentations of both guest speakers, interactive games sparked smiles and filled the gymnasium with laughter, fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere on this event.

The symposium continued with an open forum and some of the attendees’ raised questions and the guest speakers responded thoughtfully on their concerns, deepening the dialogue and interaction during the event.

The event concluded with a heartfelt closing prayer, followed by a photo-op session that captured the joy and success of the symposium. The participation of the partners and collaborators were gratefully acknowledged thru giving of certificates of appreciation for the recognition of their valuable contributions to the symposium.

Reflecting CPU longstanding dedication to the community outreach, the Anti-Rabies Symposium left a lasting impression on all who attended this event. Through the lively discussions from the guest speakers and interactions from the participants, the event was not only to inform about rabies awareness but also inspired the action in safeguarding the lives of both human and animals in Iloilo and beyond.