CARLES, Iloilo’s achievement in adding four more barangays to its growing list of rabies-free zones reminds us of the public health problem Iloilo Province continues to grapple with. Every year, thousands of Ilonggos seek treatment for animal bites, a trend that has strained hospitals and highlighted the fragility of our rabies control infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the progress in Carles stands out not merely as a local victory, but as a signal of what must urgently be done province-wide.
Rabies remains nearly 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear. Yet it is also almost entirely preventable through timely vaccination — for both humans and animals. That Iloilo still records high numbers of bite incidents each year underscores the gaps in rural health access, weak enforcement of responsible pet ownership, and chronic shortages in anti-rabies vaccines. This is a provincial problem, not an isolated one.
Carles now has 12 out of 33 barangays certified as rabies-free. These communities underwent rigorous evaluations covering dog vaccination coverage, surveillance systems, ordinance enforcement, and the functionality of Barangay Rabies Control Committees (BRCCs). Their success shows that rabies-free zones are not a fantasy; they are achievable when local governments are serious and systematic.
But while Carles pushes forward, other municipalities lag behind — and that disparity should concern every Ilonggo. You cannot build a rabies-free province with one or two overperforming towns surrounded by municipalities struggling with low vaccination turnout, scarce veterinary support, or inactive rabies committees. Rabies spreads easily. Pockets of progress are not enough.
This is why the provincial government must treat rabies-free certification as a public health priority, not an optional accolade. Iloilo needs more Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs), especially in far-flung barangays where a single bite means hours of travel before treatment. Vaccine availability must be stabilized; too often, families are turned away from ABTCs due to stockouts. And barangay-level education campaigns must be intensified to counter misinformation, pet neglect, and the habit of seeking treatment only when symptoms appear — when it is already too late.
Carles’ example is proof that with strong leadership, active volunteers, and a population willing to cooperate, rabies-free communities are within reach. But the provincial government must match that energy with a coordinated, well-funded, and province-wide program. Otherwise, Iloilo will continue to chase outbreaks instead of preventing them.
