Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City

LGU IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9482 OR

THE ANTI-RABIES ACT OF 2007, REITERATING DILG
MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NOS. 2011-30 DATED MARCH 3, 2011
AND 2014-56 DATED MAY 6, 2014

Memorandum Circular No._________

1.0 Background

1.1 Republic Act No. 9482 (The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007) declares
the policy of the State for the protection of the people’s right
to health, thereby, mandating that a system of control,
prevention of the spread, and eventual eradication of human
and animal rabies shall be provided, and the need for
responsible pet ownership to be established.

1.2 In support hereof, DILG issued Memorandum Circular Nos.

2011-30 dated March 3, 2011, and 2014-56 dated May 6,
2014, mandating LGUs to strictly implement the provisions of
the Act, specifically on: (1) mandatory appointment of
Veterinary Officers in all cities and 1st class municipalities; (2)
designation of the Municipal Agriculturist in the 2nd to 5th class
municipalities, in lieu of the absence of mandatory provisions
of law on the appointment of a Municipal Veterinarian; (3)
adoption of ordinance creating the Local Rabies Prevention
and Control Program (LPCP) to include activities on: (a) dog
mass vaccination, (b) dog registration, (c) management of
stray dogs, (d) establishment and maintenance of dog pound
and/or dog holding area; and allocation of funds for the
augmentation of vaccines and purchase of supplies related to
vaccination, among other mandates of the LGUs as specified
in the Act.

1.3 The National Plan of Action on Dog Meat Trade Elimination

was also drafted and approved for implementation through
DA-Administrative Circular No. 01 series of 2016, which calls
for a Philippine Action Plan on Dog Meat Elimination from
2015 to 2020, to assure the effective enforcement of the law
that prevents the trade of dog meat in the country.
“Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan”
Tel. Nos. (8)876.34.54
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City

1.4 Despite these efforts, evaluation results of the program show

that there are still a lot of things to be done to eradicate rabies
in the country. This leads to the formulation of a National
Rabies Prevention and Control Program Strategic Plan for
2020-2025 by the Department of Health and Department of
Agriculture, focusing on Governance, Service Delivery,
Financing, Regulation, Information and Human Resource, and
identifying areas of concerns to achieve the goal of zero
incidence of canine-rabies by 2030.

2.0 Legal Basis

2.1 Republic Act No. 9482 (The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007);

2.2 DILG Memorandum Circular Nos. 2011-30 dated March 3,
2011, (Strict Implementation of Republic Act No. 9482 (The
Anti-Rabies Act of 2007);
2.3 DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2014-56 dated May 6, 2014
(Supplementary Issuance to DILG MC No. 2011-30 dated
March 3, 2011);
2.4 National Plan of Action (NAPOA) on Dog Meat Trade
Elimination; and
2.5 National Rabies Prevention and Control Program Strategic
Plan 2020-2025.

3.0 Purpose

3.1 This Memorandum Circular is issued to direct Local

Government
Units (LGUs) to intensify efforts in the implementation of R.A.
No. 9482, The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, reiterating DILG
Memorandum Circular No. 2011-30 dated March 3, 2011, and
DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2014-56 dated May 6, 2014.

4.0 Scope

4.1 This Memorandum Circular covers all Provinces, Cities,

Municipalities and Barangays in all Regions, including

“Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan”

Tel. Nos. (8)876.34.54 loc 4204/4205* email add: rad.purchase@gmail.com
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao

(BARMM)

5.0 Policy Content and Guidelines

5.1. All Local Chief Executives and other officials concerned are
hereby directed to intensify their efforts in compliance with
Section 7 of the law, which provides for the specific
responsibilities of the LGUs, to wit:

5.1.1 Ensure that all dogs are properly immunized, registered

and issued a corresponding dog tag;
5.1.2 Strictly enforce dog impounding activities and field control
to eliminate stray dogs;
5.1.3 Ensure that dogs are leashed or confined within the
premises of the owner’s house or fenced surroundings;
5.1.4 Allocate funds to augment the implementation of the
National Rabies Prevention and Control Program
(NRPCP);
5.1.5 Ensure the enforcement of Section 6 of Republic Act No.
8485 or The Animal Welfare Act of 1998;
5.1.6 Enact additional local ordinances that will support the
NRPCP that should include the regulation of treatment
locally known as “tandok”;
5.1.7 Prohibit the trade of dogs;
5.1.8 With respect to Cities and first class Municipalities,
establish and maintain a dog pound where impounded
dogs shall be kept, in accordance with Section 9 of the
Act. Provided, that other Municipalities, shall on their own,
establish a dog pound with other adjoining municipalities
and/or with private animal shelter and control facilities;
5.1.9 Prohibit the use of electrocution as a euthanasia
procedure;
5.1.10 Appoint a veterinarian and establish a veterinary office in
every Province, City, and first class Municipality.
Provided, that, other Municipalities shall, on their own, opt
to share the expense of having a veterinary office;

“Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan”

Tel. Nos. (8)876.34.54 loc 4204/4205* email add: rad.purchase@gmail.com
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City

5.1.11 Require pet shops to post information on Rabies and

Responsible Pet Ownership;
5.1.12 For purposes of ensuring the administrative feasibility of
implementing the provisions of the law and subject to
paragraph 8 of Section 7 thereof, the LGU shall collect the
fines imposed under Section 11 sub-paragraphs
(1),(2),(4), (5) and (6) thereof.

Any and all fines collected pursuant to R.A. No. 9482 shall
be used for the enhancement of the National Rabies
Prevention and Control Program within the locality
concerned and to the achievement of the objectives
envisioned in the law.

6.0 Effectivity

6.1 This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

6.2 All DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister of Local
Government are hereby directed to cause the widest
dissemination of this Circular and see to it that this is being
complied with by the local government units.

7.0 Approving Authority

EDUARDO M. ANO
Secretary

8.0 Feedback

8.1. For related inquiries, all concerned may contact the Department
of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, Chairman of the
National Rabies and Control Committee (NRPCC), Attention:
Director Ronnie D. Domingo at Telephone No. 8528-2226,
and/or bai.ahwd@da.gov.ph.
“Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan”
Tel. Nos. (8)876.34.54 loc 4204/4205* email add: rad.purchase@gmail.com