As the rainy season sets in, local veterinarians and agriculture officers are going barangay to barangay to vaccinate livestock to prevent deadly diseases like hemorrhagic septicemia.

In Barangay Amansabina, Twinkle Aquino, a farmer, monitors closely her small herd of less than ten cows and several carabaos. She knows how vulnerable animals can get when the weather shifts.

“Kapag tag-ulan, mahina ang resistensya ng mga baka,” she said.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Mangaldan, launched the livestock vaccination drive this June to stop infections before they spread.

“Kapag pabago-bago ang panahon, kasabay niyan ang pagbaba ng immune system ng alagang hayop. Parang tao lang din. Sabihin man natin na may balahibo sila na proteksyon sa init at lamig, pero kapag tag-ulan, mahina rin sila,” Dr. Wilino Zacarias, Veterinary II of the Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office, said.

So far, no livestock animals have been reported sick, but officials are urging farmers to stay alert.

The agriculture office continues to remind livestock owners to report any early signs of illness immediately to prevent outbreaks.