GUIMARAS – This island province recorded 4,065 animal bite cases in the first six months of 2026 alone, prompting provincial authorities to intensify mass vaccination, population control, and local policy enforcement to prevent rabies transmission.
Data presented by the Provincial Health Office during a Provincial Rabies Control Committee meeting presided over by Gov. Ma. Lucille L. Nava on Sept. 16 showed that the municipality of Jordan registered the highest number of bite incidents from January to June with 1,096 cases.
Buenavista followed with 1,049 cases, while Nueva Valencia recorded 791, San Lorenzo logged 587, and Sibunag reported 542.
To curb the threat, Nava and committee members reviewed municipal funding allocations and vaccine procurement strategies for the province’s canine rabies program. Municipal agriculture offices across all five towns are continuing mass vaccination drives targeting Guimaras’ recorded population of over 33,000 dogs.
Health officials reminded pet owners that vaccinating dogs against rabies is a legal responsibility. Residents are urged to bring their pets to scheduled community vaccination drives or coordinate with local agriculture offices for immunizations and guidance on responsible pet ownership.
Alongside vaccination efforts, the Provincial Veterinary Services Office, in partnership with the provincial government and the Biyaya Animal Care Foundation, completed a mass spay and neuter campaign from Sept. 11 to 15. The five-day initiative served 479 pet owners, successfully spaying 380 cats and dogs and neutering 272 animals.
Meanwhile, Provincial Board member Paul Vincent G. de la Cruz presented updates on the Guimaras Provincial Rabies Control Ordinance of 2026, which aims to strengthen measures to control, prevent, and ultimately eradicate both human and animal rabies in the province./PN
