ILOILO – This province is scrambling to vaccinate at least 70 percent of its nearly 338,000 dogs amid an intensified anti-rabies campaign that has already immunized more than 120,000 dogs and cats across the province.
The massive vaccination drive, led by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet), forms part of the provincial government’s aggressive bid to eliminate rabies by 2030 — a target that authorities said requires sustained vaccination, neutering, and tighter population control of stray animals.
As of this date, OPVet and hired vaccinators from 43 local government units (LGUs), including Passi City, have vaccinated a total of 120,233 companion animals composed of 116,431 dogs and 3,802 cats.
Provincial records showed that Iloilo currently has an estimated dog population of 337,953.
The province allocated P10 million this year for the purchase of 19,832 vaccine vials intended to achieve at least 70 percent dog vaccination coverage — a benchmark considered critical in preventing rabies transmission.
Friday last week, May 15, OPVet started distributing another 12,000 vaccine vials to the 43 LGUs to sustain the province-wide campaign.
The latest batch came after the earlier release of 7,832 vaccine vials during the province-wide vaccination kick-off in February 2026.
The continuing operations are being spearheaded by OPVet head Dr. Darel Tabuada together with municipal vaccinators conducting house-to-house vaccination and neutering activities in towns and barangays throughout Iloilo.
Aside from the vaccines procured by the provincial government, the 43 LGUs also allotted funds for additional vaccine purchases to expand the reach of the campaign.
OPVet urged pet owners to cooperate once vaccinators visit their communities and to avail themselves of the free anti-rabies vaccination services.
“Alongside immunization, population control remains a vital pillar of the province’s rabies eradication strategy. Through surgical sterilization, the OPVet has successfully managed stray and domestic pet populations, minimizing the stray animal density that often accelerates rabies transmission,” the office said in a statement.
As of this date, 515 dogs and cats have also been successfully neutered under the campaign./PN
