Cebu opens Philippine’s 1st public vet clinic

CEBU, Philippines —   For years, Cebu had been bereft of a veterinary clinic where farmers could bring in their farm animals for checkup and treatment for rates that are considerably lower than what private clinics charge.

That will now change as the provincial government opened last week the province’s and the country’s first-ever public veterinary clinic in Barangay Calmante, Tudela town in the Camotes islands.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia led the opening of the P5-million clinic during her two-day visit in the islands located east of mainland Cebu.

Two veterinary doctors and one medical technologist have already been assigned to the clinic.

The clinic consists of a laboratory room, two surgery rooms, an examination room and a holding area for larger animals. Ultrasounds and x-ray services will also be provided in the clinic soon.

Livestock, not only from the resident farmers in Camotes but also from neighboring provinces, will be treated in the clinic.

This, as the Camotes are located strategically in the middle of the islands of Cebu and Leyte.

Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, the provincial veterinarian, said that they will still determine the rates.

However, she assured that the provincial government will partly subsidize the fees so as to make the services accessible to the residents.

Agriculture, such as farming and raising livestock, is one of the primary livelihoods in the Islands of Camotes but there had been no private clinics in the islands before.

“Timely and fitting nga magbutang ta dinhi kay we’re also positioning nga kung naay animals nga naa’y sakit-sakit or kung naay animals nga i-move gikan sa island padung sa nearby provinces, ma-inspect pud (so sick animals or those to be transported to the nearby provinces could be checked first),” said Vincoy.

The clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  JMD (FREEMAN)