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Stock image of a dog.
Image by Amit Karkare from Pixabay
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar is pushing for a more aggressive and long-term strategy to address the rising number of rabies cases in the country, calling the situation a serious public health concern that demands immediate action.
“Rabies-related deaths are deeply alarming. Many victims are only diagnosed once symptoms appear – by then, it is too late for any medical intervention,” Villar said, citing recent reports of fatalities circulating online.
According to Villar, most rabies cases share common issues: limited access to human anti-rabies vaccines, the failure to vaccinate pets and stray animals, and a general underestimation of the disease’s fatal consequences.
In response, the senator has filed a bill in the 20th Congress aimed at establishing at least one public veterinary clinic in every city and municipality across the country.These clinics would provide accessible and affordable veterinary care – including animal vaccinations and low-cost medications – and would be established in coordination with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry and local government units.
“One of the most practical and effective ways to curb the spread of rabies, especially among strays, is through the trap-vaccinate-release approach,” Villar explained. “By making veterinary services accessible, we empower communities to protect both their pets and themselves.”
Villar emphasized that the bill also seeks to encourage local initiatives for rabies prevention, particularly at the grassroots level. He noted that many communities are underserved when it comes to veterinary care, making the spread of preventable diseases like rabies more likely.
“Through this bill, we want veterinary services to be within reach of every Filipino pet owner,” Villar added. “At the same time, we need to put systems in place to ensure stray animals are also vaccinated.”
