Talisay mayoralty aspirant faults city for lack of anti-rabies vaccines

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party mayoralty candidate of Talisay City Johnny Delos Reyes yesterday claimed that the acquisition of anti-rabies vaccines appears to be missing from the city’s priority list. 

Delos Reyes said city residents go to Minglanilla town instead of availing of the vaccines at the Talisay City District Hospital.

Delos Reyes even criticized Rep. Eduardo Gullas for spending P24.5 million for the construction of Plaza Talisay instead of giving more priority to the improvement of the city district hospital’s services. 

Both Delos Reyes and Gullas are running for mayor in the May elections. 

“Paibugon ra man ta anang P24.5 million dayun ang mga kabus maoy maglisud,” Delos Reyes said.

But Talisay City Councilor Richard Francis “Choy” Aznar, a Gullas ally and of the administration party, has urged Delos Reyes to look at the facts first.

Aznar, who is the chairman of the committee on health, said that while the district hospital cannot provide anti-rabies vaccines for the city’s bite victims, the city government shoulders the expenses for them to get vaccinations from the District Animal Bite Center in Minglanilla town.

Aznar said the District Animal Bite Center in Minglanilla is the only one in the district, and the city government often gives aid to bite victims by providing them financial aid to access the first two vaccination shots.

Aznar pointed out that they are appropriating funds in animal bite prevention such as conducting free vaccinations for rabid dogs in the city while the city has no animal bite center. (FREEMAN)