ILOILO – With 51,831 animal bite cases recorded across Iloilo Province in just nine months placing mounting pressure on the provincial government’s supply of human anti-rabies vaccines, health authorities are warning that procurement efforts alone cannot keep pace with the growing demand.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported that from January to September 2026, dog bites accounted for 27,525 cases, followed by cat bites at 24,179 and bites from other animals at 127.
IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon warned that the continued high incidence of animal bites, aggravated by irresponsible pet ownership, was rapidly depleting vaccine stocks despite substantial government spending.
“Bisan ano kadamo sang bakuna nga gina-procure sang provincial government, district hospitals kag Municipal Health Offices, kon sige man kita gihapon pakagat sa ayam kay wala ginahigtan sang maayo ukon ginabuy-an, maubos gid ang aton vaccine. Our vaccine will never be enough. So, prevention is better than cure,” Quiñon said.
The provincial government, under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., has allocated P8 million this year to purchase nearly 4,000 vials of human anti-rabies vaccines.
This is on top of the P10 million in vaccine procurement by the province’s 13 district hospitals, including the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, and additional purchases by 43 local government units to augment supplies at their respective Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs).
Human anti-rabies vaccines are provided free of charge to patients at rural health units and district hospitals.
Quiñon expressed frustration.
“Kasubo. Ang aton mga panimalay… tani mangin responsible pet owners,” she said.
Quiñon stressed that responsible pet ownership requires basic preventive measures, including annual vaccination, proper restraint and adequate feeding of animals.
Pet owners who cannot afford vaccinations may avail themselves of free dog vaccination services through their municipal agriculture or veterinary offices. Those unable to secure vaccines because of supply shortages may register to be prioritized once new stocks arrive.
The provincial government also allocates P9 million annually for the purchase of 18,000 vials of animal anti-rabies vaccines, intended to cover at least 70 percent of the province’s dog population.
Quiñon emphasized that vaccinating dogs remains a critical defense against rabies, a deadly viral disease that can spread to humans through bites or saliva exposure from infected animals.
The IPHO reiterated that preventing animal bites and ensuring widespread pet vaccination are essential to achieving Iloilo Province’s goal of becoming rabies-free by 2030.
Under the criteria cited by Quiñon, a province must record no indigenous rabies cases in either humans or animals for two consecutive years to qualify for rabies-free status.
Health authorities also noted that many animal bite incidents involved victims bitten by their own pets, underscoring the need to strengthen responsible pet ownership at the household level./PN