Baguio relaunches rat catching challenge at public market

Public market leaseholders and vendors are once again asked to help sustain cleanliness and sanitation by eradicating the presence of rodents for a price.

The city government of Baguio is set to relaunch its Rat Catching Challenge that will run for more than three months from May 20 to August 31, 2024 spearheaded by the City Treasurer – Market Section and the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO).

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.

Entrapped rats, alive or lifeless, shall be turned over to a collection point to be identified by the Market Supervisor IV Ceasar Emilio. 

Collection for disposal is scheduled from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays by the CVAO. 

The Rat Catching Challenge was initiated by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong in 2020 to eradicate rats visibly thriving at the public market. A month-long catching of rodents ensued yielding a total of 1,766 mostly caught by vendors at the Lechon Section, Pines Meat Mart and Entrails Section.

This year, the section with the most rats caught will receive P25,000 cash prize; second place will receive P15,000; third place will receive P10,000; and, P5,000 for the greatest number of rats caught by an individual.

Eradication of rats is prioritized to address leptospirosis cases in the city.

Leptospirosis, an infection from rat urine in flood waters, increased to 126% last year in the months of July and August, at the onset of the rainy season that caused the death of seven individuals.

While efforts are being concentrated at the city public market, search out on rats is encouraged citywide alongside simultaneous clean-up drives for the rats not to transfer from one area to another.

The City Health Services Office reported leptospirosis infected humans have flu-like symptoms; yellow skin, kidney failure and organ failure occurring within two weeks of contamination. – JM Samidan