ILOILO – The Gigantes Group of Islands in northern Iloilo has maintained its rabies-free designation, reaffirmed after a rigorous evaluation by regional and national health authorities. This feat strengthens Iloilo Province’s broader goal of becoming a rabies-free province by 2030.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) announced the successful retention of the rabies-free status following a comprehensive two-day assessment on June 4-5. The evaluation was conducted by a Technical Working Group (TWG) led by Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6, and included representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), and the DOH regional rabies program.
The Gigantes Group of Islands — composed of barangays Asluman, Granada, Lantangan, and Gabi in the municipality of Carles — were first declared rabies-free in 2022. Since then, they have maintained zero recorded cases of both human and animal rabies, meeting the primary criterion for reaffirmation.
According to the TWG, the islands demonstrated consistent implementation of rabies control measures such as mass dog vaccination campaigns, community education on responsible pet ownership, strict animal bite protocols, and active case surveillance.
“The continued success of the Gigantes Group of Islands is expected to serve as an inspiration for other communities, particularly those in island and remote areas, to strengthen their own efforts in achieving and maintaining rabies-free zones,” the PVO said in a statement.
The evaluation was supported by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the Rural Health Unit (RHU), and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Carles.
To date, 32 island barangays and islets in the municipalities of Concepcion, Carles, and Ajuy have been declared rabies-free.
The IPHO, along with the Sub-National Rabies Control Committee TWG composed of the PVO, DOH, and the Department of Agriculture Region 6, is now working to include the municipalities of Batad and Estancia in this list before the end of the year.
The key criteria for declaring a barangay rabies-free include:
* At least 70% of the dog population vaccinated in the last two years
* Enactment and enforcement of local anti-rabies ordinances
* Functioning local rabies control committees
* Effective rabies surveillance systems
* Accessible anti-rabies vaccines for both humans and animals
* Ongoing health education and rabies awareness activities
* Integration of rabies prevention in elementary education
* Observance of Rabies Awareness Month and World Rabies Day
Health authorities view these efforts as crucial stepping stones toward the larger vision of a rabies-free Iloilo by 2030./PN
