Rats at Baguio public market eradicated through contest

BAGUIO CITY – A rat-catching contest was launched by the city government among vendors last week at the public marker here to prevent outbreak of leptospirosis,

Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered implementation of the program on March 31, after visiting the public market to check on the status of window hour scheme in line with the enhanced community quarantine policy.

                Noticeable to the mayor was the presence of rats thus he instructed the placement of rat traps to address rodent infestation. Market Supervisor Fernando Ragma Jr., and Assistant City Veterinarian Silardo Bested were tasked to lead the rat control program in the market.

The mayor instructed the setting up of one mouse trap for every two vendors.

During the first day of implementing the Rat Catching Challenge, 131 rats were caught with another 255 on the second day bringing the total number of rodents captured to 386 in two days.

                The content will be held for a month. The market section had the highest number of rats captured at presstime and could receive P20,000 while the second group will receive P10,000.

                "Vendors are very cooperative and it seems they are enjoying the competition. We also reminded vendors to also exercise precautionary measures for their safety and health," Ragma said.

                Rats captured are being turned over to the City Veterinary Office for proper disposal.

               Ragma said with the help of Business Permits and Licensing Officer Allan Abayao, some sellers of mouse trap opened their stores to accommodate vendors. – Jessa Mardy P. Samidan