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PROJECT NARRATIVE

Title: RAID Zamboanga (Rabies Awareness & Information Drive)

Project URL: http://www.geocities.com/zchscyberfair2005

Category: Environmental Awareness and Issues (# 7)

Seven (7) Fourth Year students aged 16 years old, worked together to complete this CyberFair project starting August 2005.

Name of Teachers:

Mrs. Gina Q. Arriola
Mr. Michael C. Rute
Mr. Jonigin Tigas

Name o f Students:

Czarina Q. Carbonell
Ralph Jordan H. Fernandez
Mohammad Nur S. Langa
Mark Angelo J. Melitante
Rogelio T. Munar Jr.
Jonel L. Olaso
Glaiza A. Ramos

email contact: zchs@pldtdsl.net

School Name: Zamboanga City High School – Main

School URL: http://www.zamboangacityhighschool.ph

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Description of "Our Community"

The early Malaya settlers called the region "Sambangan". On one of the earliest Spanish maps, "Samboangan" meant "docking point", from the word "sabuan", the wooden pole used by the Samals and Badjaos in pushing their vintas on shallow waters.

The city is situated on the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, on the island of Mindanao, Philippines, 460 nautical miles south of Manila, 365 nautical miles northeast of Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) and 345 nautical miles northeast of Manado (Indonesia). It is bounded to the west by Sulu Sea, to the east by the Moro Gulf, and to the south by Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea.

Beautiful Zamboanga is only an hour and a half by jet from Manila, one hour from Cebu and 50 minutes from Dipolog. It is one of the principal ports of call for cruise ships and inter island vessels on the Manila-Davao-Cotabato-Jolo-Tawi-tawi-General Santos-Cebu routes. On the Philipine-Japan Friendship Highway that links Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Imprints of the Castilian heritage are found in "Chabacano", the native "patois" which is 70% Spanish and 30% mixture of the other languages. Other native languages are Tausug, Bisaya, Samal, Yakan and Maranao. The Spanish culture influences the way of life of the Zamboangueños. The culture blends harmoniously with the Moorish and western influence. Zamboanga became a chartered city on October 12, 1936 through a commonwealth Act No. 39.

Today, Zamboanga City continues to play a central role as a center of trade in Southern Mindanao under the new leadership of a fine gentleman in the person of Hon. Celso L. Lobregat son of former Mayor and Congresswoman Maria Clara L. Lobregat.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

RAID ZAMBOANGA spearheaded by the Office of the City Veterinarian on Rabies Awareness and Information Drive is our project plan which aims to educate people and the youth on the danger of RABIES and to raise on their awareness on RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. Furthermore, it endeavors to educate the public regarding the importance benefits of the human and animal bond; and to promote respect for creatures of all species. It also aims to emphasize that pet ownership is a lifetime commitment.

For many years, animal lovers have grown concerned about the increasining number of stray dogs. A stray is defined as a dog in a public place not under the control of its owner. Most of them were pets of household but have been abandoned. These are the dogs which are seen on the boundaries of towns, city streets, waste-dumping grounds, slums, gullies, etc. These are the dogs, in the localities that are never protected from diseases and are underfed. Because these dogs are not properly cared for and are often unnecessarily beaten up by people, they are short tempered. As they are affected with skin diseases and many other ailments and most often than not the carrier of the most deadly RABIES INFECTION, they are the most dangerous animals to be taken as pets. It is a common knowledge that many people have become victims of Rabies. A person can contract rabies if a mad animal bites or licks him; a bite on the neck or head is much more dangerous and fatal because of its proximity to the brain.

In May 2001, there were 10 reported deaths due to rabies in Zamboanga City. Because of this incident, the local government of Zamboanga has taken steps to address these challenges, by passing twin Ordinances on Rabies Eradication and Control and the City Pound Ordinances of 2002. The former provides the practice of responsible pet ownership through mandatory dog vaccination and registration, while the latter provides animal population control measures. The goal is to have a Rabies Free Zamboanga by the year 2020.

Reducing the number of stray animals and rabies cases is an achievable goal, as long as we are committed to working together for the benefit of all. As Margaret Mead said "Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Our Computer and Internet Access

Enough computer sets with complete software and program were used in the accomplishment of this project; which ensured that individual researchers could input their data faster.

Thirty percent (30%) of the student population use the internet.
There are 30 units of computers connected to the internet. These are in the computer laboratory for students’ and teachers’ use.

The connection speed used in the computer lab is 100 Mbps.

Problems We Had To Overcome

Time has always been our enemy in any undertaking especially on projects like this. Our research focuses on how our community responds to the number of stray dogs and biting incidents in the city.
All of the students working on this project have a very hectic academic schedule. To cope with the time constraint, we worked on this project during Saturdays only.

Our Project Sound Bite

Our sound bite:
Be a Responsible Pet Owner. Rabies eradication and control is everybody’s business. One of the most cost effective means to carry out this is educating the dog owners and the public on responsible pet ownership. RABIES KILLS. Rabies can kill your pets and you! Protect your pets. Protect yourself.

What has our participation in International Schools CyberFair meant to students, school or community?

As students we became a part of the process by obtaining information regarding rabies and being responsible pet owners. Owning a pet is a responsibility. Caring for an animal is a huge responsibility. One that shouldn't be taken lightly. Responsible pet ownership involves many things. Looking after pets' physical needs is only one of them. We take our pets to the vet when they are ill or injured as well as for their annual exams and vaccinations. We provide adequate food, shelter and water. But their needs don't stop here. They need our time, our attention, and most of all our love. Cats, dogs and other pets bring lots of joy to their owners. And animal owners should know that having a pet brings responsibilities, too.

At the same time, the team participated in the vaccination campaign and observed in the catching of stray animals around the city.
As observed, stray dogs tend to multiply without control, and today they have become a serious problem. Many people, and especially children, have been attacked and bitten by mad dogs. But, no one takes responsibility. Each year thousands of people abandon their pets for reasons ranging from loss of interest to lack of funds.
If your dog causes injury or damage and it can be proven that it was your fault then, you may be liable for significant damages and be prosecuted. You should be aware of the penalties for irresponsible dog ownership.

Through this project, all of us realized the importance of teamwork. Besides, we have acquired the skill of editing and learned many computer programs, such as Dreamweaver, PhotoShop, Flash.

How did your activities and research for this International Schools CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

This project supports our Science and Music, Arts, Physical Education & Health (MAPEH) subjects wherein we deal with lessons regarding the role of mankind in maintaining the environmental and ecological balance of the earth, the recognition and respect of the essential value of animal life, and providing education to the public through the compassionate and appropriate way we treat the animals in our care. A very important element in an efficient animal welfare programme is humane education – encouraging an understanding of the need for compassion and respect for our fellow beings – the animals. Children and young people should grow up learning how to take care and to look after animals. We also visited the newly built Zamboanga City Pound at San Roque.

PROJECT ELEMENTS

What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Cyberfair project?

Our school has thirty Pentium III computers donated by DOST-SEI and the DTI's PC for Public School. These are shared by 1,881 fourth year students.

Our computer hardware includes Compaq-branded personal computers, internet, printer, scanner, digital camera, phone, and CD writer.
Our computer software are Windows XP & 98 SE Operating Systems, Macromedia DreamweaverMX, Adobe Photoshop 7, Adobe Premiere 6.5, Microsoft Office XP, Norton Antivirus 2003, WinZIP 8.1

For communication, we employed meetings and discussions through the phone, SMS and emails making it easier to get in touch with our teammates.

In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person?

Interviewing VIPs:
In order to accomplish this project, we interviewed the person in charge of the campaign, Dr. Arnedo A. Agbayani, Veterinarian IV Animal Health Division, Office of the City Veterinarian. We also asked permission to join one of their vaccination, and dog catching operations. In addition we visited the city pound where the stray animals are brought and await for redemption by their respective owners.

Lastly, we asked the assistance of Mr. Aner T. Ortega, a Web programmer from Cebu City, on how to incorporate our movie clip to our project. He gave us instruction on-line through internet chat.

What has been the impact of your project on your community?

Educate the community residents:
This project made us realize the effect and danger of rabies to human. Our schoolmates are now accessing our website and gather information regarding rabies. It also made us aware of the government campaign and was able to convince our neighbors to be responsible pet owners by tying up their dogs or have them put in a kennel as well as to have their pets vaccinated regularly. We also received varied reactions some responsive to those who were apathetic. But mostly we are now able to answer most of their questions regarding rabies and its effect.

How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

This project would not have been possible without the help and guidance of our teachers, school, friends, families and the public.

We would like to thank the Office of the City Veterinarian, with Dr. Mario D. Arriola as the Department Head, Dr. Arnedo A. Agbayani, Chief Animal Health Division for his untiring support providing us the data, pictures and video needed to complete this project. We also appreciate the help of the other technical personnel of the City Veterinarian Office who allowed us to tag along in their operations from vaccination to the catching of stray and bringing them to the city pound. One of us was even able to adopt a dog that was not reclaimed by the owner.

To Mr. Aner T. Ortega, a Web programmer from Cebu City, who taught us how to incorporate our movie clip to our project. He gave us instruction on-line through internet chat.

To Mrs. Liberty A. Balucanag, school paper adviser, for helping us with our grammar.

We would also like to thank our teachers who guided us through the process of project research. They gave us general direction as we started the project. They taught us how to collect data, edit and consolidate information, construct the multi-media Web page during the research process. When we encountered obstacles that we could not overcome by ourselves alone, they gave us just-in-time advice.

Last but not least, we would like to thank our parents for their love and encouragement that supported us all the way through our endeavors especially so that we have to be in school during weekends.

Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

This project has taught us that keeping a pet is not just about having plenty of fun. It brings with it certain obligations and responsibilities to the pet and to the community at large too. To be responsible pet owners, we need to know our pets’ needs and look after their well being. Most of all, we must be prepared to commit ourselves to provide a lifelong home for our pets. This means never to abandon our pets, come what may – whether they get old or sick.

“A Pet is for Life”. The one and only message we aim to convey loud and clear to all pet owners and potential pet owners. We are hoping that by working together – Government agencies, animal organizations, current and future pet owners, as well as the community at large – we can spread the message of responsible pet ownership in our community, reduce the population of stray animals in our streets, and raise the standard of animal welfare. Let’s all strive to be responsible pet owners, and keep our pets for life. In a world where dogs are increasingly seen as evil and vicious, Responsible Dog Ownership is the only thing that will keep Man's Best Friend where he should be: at our sides.