ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA — Fresh off national recognition for its rabies prevention efforts, Angeles City is keeping the momentum going—one barangay at a time. The Angeles City Veterinary Office conducted a free anti-rabies vaccination drive in Barangay Malabanias on November 11, 2026, offering protection for dogs and cats at no cost to residents. It's the latest stop in a citywide campaign that has made Angeles City a model for animal health and public safety.
The Program That Never Stops
The Malabanias drive is part of the City Veterinary Office's Bakuna sa Barangay program, which brings free anti-rabies vaccines directly to communities across the city's 33 barangays. The approach is deliberate: instead of asking residents to travel to city hall or pay for veterinary services, the city brings the clinic to them. In 2026 alone, the CVO has rolled out vaccination drives in Barangays Pandan, Balibago, Pulung Maragul, Capaya, Sta. Teresita, and Cuayan, among others. As Mayor Carmelo "Jon" B. Lazatin II has emphasized, the goal is to promote responsible pet ownership while protecting both animals and the community from rabies—ensuring that no pet owner is left behind simply because they cannot afford the cost or time required to visit a veterinary clinic. The program reflects a proactive, community-centered approach to public health that recognizes the deep bond between Angeleños and their pets.
An Award-Winning Effort and Why This Matters
The timing of the Malabanias drive is significant. Earlier in November, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry recognized the Angeles City Veterinary Office as the Most Innovative Local Government Unit in Rabies Prevention and Control. The award cited the city's expanded vaccination programs, public awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership, and strengthened community animal health services—in other words, the work being done in barangays like Malabanias is exactly what earned the city national praise. Rabies is 100% preventable, yet it remains a fatal disease in the Philippines, and Angeles City has reported a high incidence of animal bites, making community-level vaccination critical. By making vaccines accessible at the barangay level, the city is removing financial barriers for pet owners who might otherwise skip vaccination, increasing immunization coverage to achieve community-level protection, promoting responsible pet ownership through education and accessible services, and protecting public health by reducing the risk of rabies transmission. To pet owners in Malabanias: if you missed the drive, keep an eye on the Angeles City Information Office Facebook page for upcoming schedules in your barangay—the city's vaccination program is continuous, and your pet's protection is always within reach.
