By ZALDY COMANDA
BAGUIO CITY – More than 700 rats were caught in the past two months in the ongoing 2nd Rat Catching Challenge at the Baguio City Public Market.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong here launched the competition to encourage leaseholders and vendors to help maintain cleanliness by eradicating the presence of rats in the market.
The activity aims to continuously involve market leaseholders and vendors, including privately-operated business establishments, within the market premises in the eradication of pests for public safety.
Eradication of rats is a priority to address cases of leptospirosis, an infection from rat urine in flood water.
Last year, leptospirosis cases here went up 126 percent in July and August, at the start of the rainy season, and caused the death of seven people.
Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio encouraged the 46 public market section leaders to continue the campaign to ensure the safety of vendors and customers.
The challenge was relaunched last May under the City Treasurer-Market Section and the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office and will end on August 31.
Trapped rats, dead or alive, must be taken to a collection point in the public market. Collection is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
The challenge was initiated by Magalong in 2020 during the pandemic with corresponding prizes for persons with the highest number of rats caught.
Within a month, a total of 1,766 rats were caught, most of which in the Lechon (roasted pig) Section, Pines Meat Mart and Entrails Section.
Section with the most rats caught will receive P25,000, the second, P15,000; and third, P10,000, and P5,000 for the most rodents caught by an individual.