Manila: An official of the Department of Health (DOH) has called for collective effort in the implementation of the anti-rabies campaign in the Ilocos Region. DOH 1 (Ilocos Region) Director Paula Paz Sydiongco, in a statement on Thursday, said this goal requires coordinated action from stakeholders, including national government agencies, individuals, and communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, Sydiongco encouraged village officials to ensure there are no stray dogs in their respective areas and noted that local governments also provide rabies vaccines for dogs and cats, as well as other veterinary services. A total of 62,638 animal bites were reported in the region in the first quarter of 2025. Rabies cases from January 1 to June 21 reached five, with three in Pangasinan and one each in Ilocos Sur and La Union.

Sydiongco encouraged all regional coordinators to register all animal bite treatment centers and animal bite centers in the National Rabies Information System (NaRIS) to ensure prompt reporting of cases at all levels. She said victims of animal bites need not worry about the cost of the vaccine as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has an animal bite package.

The DOH central office has pledged to further strengthen and improve the implementation of the National Rabies Program and has identified policy and operational issues and gaps, and the proposed recommendations and strategies to address these concerns. It has registered 159 rabies cases as of June 14, compared to 220 in the same period in 2024.