“RABIES continues to be a significant public health concern in Bohol, with animal bite cases rising from 17,415 in 2021 to 46,777 in 2024,” Provincial Rabies coordinator Ms. Polizena Rances of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) told the public accountability committee meeting on December 16, 2025.
“Even a single positive case is considered a significant public health risk under established rabies surveillance and control standards,” Office of Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) pointed out.
Animal bite cases in Bohol have been pushed to 28,390 cases as of second quarter of 2025, more than half of data recorded in 2024.
Provincial Board Member and committee chairperson Mutya Kismet R. Tirol (who is a medical doctor by profession), brought this up to the attention to her colleagues, requesting to revisit and update, in aid of legislation, Provincial Ordinance No. 2007-012, “Strengthening Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Program,” on the issue of the increasing number of rabies cases and stray animals on the streets.
Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) said that the registered dog population recorded at 203,906. But several municipalities reported vaccination figures without corresponding population data, hence the introduction of a central tracking system has improved reporting, with 93,286 dogs recorded as vaccinated for 2025.
OPV said that Tagbilaran City recorded the highest number of animal bite cases in the first quarter of 2025, with 3,935 cases. Ubay came in next with 1,693; Talibon, 1,433; Tubigon, 1,257; and Dauis, 1,085.
VACCINATION
OPV admitted that Bohol failed to hit the target of 70% or about 120,000 vaccination (immunity) of the total dog population as it only accomplished 45.75% over the last five years.
“Current immunization coverage is estimated to be over 60%. Dog population figures are derived from the annual census submitted by municipal LGUs through the Barangay Livestock Aides (BALA), consolidated by the Agricultural Office, and used to ensure accuracy, as vaccines are not released unless a validated dog population list is provided,” OPV aid.
The following towns achieved the target of 70% vaccination immunity of dog population in their respective turfs as national requirement: Duero, 84.00%; Alicia, 81.88%; Inabanga, 77.91%; Catigbian, 75.48%; Dagohoy, 73.62%; Bien Unido, 72.95%; and Mabini, 72.45%. OPV described them as “high performers.”
The towns who got below 70% target are the ff: Clarin (69.20%), Panglao (65.99%), Loboc (66.87%), and Batuan (66.82%). Thos who remain “remain significantly below acceptable thresholds:” Anda (33.30%), Valencia (32.53%), Jagna (29.88%), Alburquerque (29.71%), Carmen (28.21%), Loay (23.28%), Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (21.88%), Corella (20.48%), Ubay (19.448%), and Guindulman (16.83%). It was not indicated in the committee report of other’s towns’ situation on dog vaccination target.
IMPOUND
OPV said that dog impounding facilities are currently established in First District: Panglao, Dauis, Tagbilaran, Cortes, Maribojoc, Calape, Loon, Tubigon, Sikatuna, Baclayon, Balilihan, and Antequera; Second District: San Isidro, Sagbayan, Ubay, President Carlos P. Garcia, Talibon, Trinidad, and Danao. Third District: Lila, Valencia, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Candijay, Anda, Mabini, Alicia, Batuan, Loboc, and Sevilla.
BUDGET
The annual budget for Anti Rabies Vaccine has been increased. For CY 2025, allocations increased to PHP 6.55 million (earmarked for ARV and PHP 5.53 million spent for 2,911 vials at PHP 1,899.10 per vial) and PHP 6.2 million budgeted for RIG, nearly fully utilized at PHP 6.19 million for 3,100 vials, OPV said.
But the situation appears to be lacking as “the volume purchased remains inadequate to meet the Province’s rising demand for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis” as available vaccines were already nearly depleted during the first quarter. “In the same year 2024, the supply of 3,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine was not sufficient, as this quantity was quickly consumed by the first quarter alone, and because of the shortage, many patients and families went directly to the Offices of the Board Members to seek assistance for rabies vaccines.” Hence, there’s what OPV called “structural mismatch between vaccine procurement levels and the actual volume of animal bite exposure in the Province.”
LOCAL DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
Another salient concern brought up is the absence of a Local Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Egos said.
With this, the Provincial Government has not choice but to send samples to Dumaguete City, Cebu City, or Metro Manila for confirmation. But having one (Establishing a local laboratory) would allow faster case verification, help implement timely quarantine measures, and support ring vaccination in affected barangays.”
He said that “reviewing and strengthening penalties for pet owners who fail to vaccinate their animals, sharing that stray dogs frequently cause injuries and accidents without accountability.”
Police Major Joseph Lopena of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) said that accidents involving stray dogs are classified as self-inflicted injuries. He recommended mitigating measures such as reducing speed limits, apparently to avoid accidents. “Notably, the national highways in Pilar and Jagna were identified as high-risk areas, recording ten (10) and eleven (11) incidents respectively in 2025,” he said.
WHERE TO GO WHEN BITTEN?
Based on established bite management protocol, patients arerequired to first seek assessment at any of the 51 Rural Health Units or the City Health Office before referral to accredited Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs).
The Province currently operates a mixed public–private network of 18 centers, which are distributed across Province-owned Hospitals and Municipal Health facilities, alongside private partners such as ACE Medical Center, Rabies Buster Clinics in Tubigon and Tagbilaran City.
Despite this collaborative network, it still insufficient to fully meet Provincial demand, highlighting the need to establish fully functional bite centers and clinics to ensure timely and adequate service coverage across all Municipalities.
The adoption of the committee report resulted to the SP approval of the recommendations: Resolution Enjoining the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council in collaboration with the Municipal and City Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council and Bantay Rabies sa Barangay Task Force to undertake a Province-wide, house-to-house rabies vaccination activities, to increase vaccination coverage and address low turnout in scheduled vaccination campaigns.
Resolution Urging the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) to increase escalate its Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives on responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention, prioritizing Community-level awareness. And passage of a Resolution Heightening Animal Population Control measures through increased Spay and Neuter Programs. (Ric Obedencio)
