by Dr. Mark Stephen S. Ballog

Extension Coordinator, CVM

The Mariano Marcos State University – College of Veterinary Medicine (MMSU-CVM), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte, successfully conducted a veterinary medical mission on May 28, 2026, bringing essential veterinary healthcare services to companion animals in the municipality.

The activity was organized following the newly forged Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between MMSU-CVM and the Municipality of Dumalneg, strengthening collaboration in advancing animal welfare, veterinary public health, and community extension services in the area.

Through the veterinary mission, faculty veterinarians and veterinary student volunteers from MMSU-CVM were able to provide veterinary services to 90 companion animals composed of dogs and cats from different barangays of the municipality. The services included veterinary consultation, anti-rabies vaccination, deworming, vitamin supplementation, and animal health assessment.

A total of 39 companion animals also underwent spay and neuter procedures as part of efforts to promote responsible pet ownership and help control the growing stray animal population in the community.

The activity forms part of MMSU-CVM’s extension program, “ACHIEVE Zero Rabies in Ilocos Norte,” which aims to strengthen rabies awareness, improve vaccination coverage, and promote animal welfare initiatives across the province. Faculty veterinarians and student volunteers led the conduct of surgical sterilization procedures, vaccination drives, and animal health consultations during the mission.

Mayor Francis Espiritu expressed his gratitude and delight over the successful implementation of the veterinary medical mission, sharing that it has long been a dream of the municipality to bring accessible veterinary services to their community.

According to Mayor Espiritu, both he and Vice Mayor Atty. Fraincess Kwyn Espiritu have always been strong supporters of animal welfare programs and initiatives. He emphasized that the veterinary mission represents an important step toward strengthening animal welfare and public health programs in Dumalneg through accessible veterinary healthcare services.

The Municipality of Dumalneg is now the fourth municipality in Ilocos Norte to establish a Memorandum of Agreement with MMSU-CVM, reflecting the growing partnership network of the college with local government units in the province.

Despite being one of the youngest veterinary schools in Northern Philippines, MMSU-CVM continues to expand its extension initiatives and community outreach programs. The Dumalneg activity marks the college’s ninth veterinary mission conducted under its extension efforts aimed at improving animal health, responsible pet ownership, and rabies prevention in local communities.

Beyond delivering veterinary services, the mission also served as an experiential learning opportunity for veterinary students by exposing them to community-based veterinary public health, preventive medicine, and animal welfare programs in underserved areas. Through direct field experience, students were able to strengthen their clinical skills while developing a deeper appreciation for the role of veterinarians in promoting public health and community development.

As MMSU-CVM continues to strengthen partnerships with municipalities across Ilocos Norte, the college remains committed to expanding veterinary extension services and bringing accessible animal healthcare programs closer to communities throughout the province.

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