SP assures ‘bottom-up’ approach

in amended antirabies ordinance

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Bohol’s 19 year-old rabies ordinance is now on review and a legislator at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) wants it to be done in a bottoms-up approach, to be able to respond to a dream of making Bohol rabies free in 2030.

During the joint meeting of the SP committee on Public Accountability and the SP Committee on Health and Public Sanitation, Board Member Mutya Kismet Tirol emphasized the need for Bohol to be together and achieve a single purpose, especially in fighting against a public health issue in rabies.

“This is alarming,” BM Tirol cited 2 dog head samples examined from a single town and both tested positive for rabies.

Rabies, a fatal virus borne disease usually caused by rabies infected animals, generally dog and cat bites or saliva, which when untreated, affects the brains and nervous system.

Fatal yet preventable, rabies continues to a serious public health challenge despite the availability of effective vaccines, mostly due to limited awareness, poor access to healthcare, and poor animal control.

In 2007, with the problem already posing a huge risk for Bohol’s dream to become a leading tourism destination , local officials led by then governor Erico Aumentado, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, along with the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) unleashed a program that cleared Bohol or rabies cases in 2010, shares Board Member and Dr. Romulo Cepedoza, ABC representative at the SP.

Key to sustaining the program was Provincial Ordinance No 2007-012, which was later amended to Provincial Ordinance No 2010-01 or the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication program, he physician politician added.

Now due for revision for it to be responsive to the times, the new ordinance aims now to est6ablish and institutionalize the Bantay Rabies sa Barangay (BRB) and set up its enforcement mechanisms while promoting responsible pet ownership, according to the draft ordinance tackled during the joint meeting.

And to make sure the revisit of the ordinance gets a solid stakeholder base, the joint committee also invited animal rights groups represented by Shiela Sy of Bohol Animal Sanctuary Inc., May Solidum of Bohol Animal Rescue and Kindness, the provincial organization of para-veterinarians, health and agriculture officials, academe, and even punong barangays who had set up their BRBs.

We want this in a bottom-up approach, BM Tirol stressed, cautious because at the other end of the pole is a responsibility that would be far too heavy for the executive to efficiently and successfully implement.

Office of the Provincial Veterinarian Officer In Charge Dr. Meydallen Paman said key to the success of the program are effective measures to address dog population, vaccination of dogs for population control and a string focus on responsible pet-ownership.

Health Officer Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy admitted that in 2026 alone, this early, Bohol already registers 7 suspected cases of rabies, and we’re still in the middle of April.

She reported that animal bite cases have been increasing for the past years: at least 17,415 cases were reported in 2021; 21,413 cases in 2022; 29,536 cases in 2023 and a significant spike in cases last year at 46,777.

She also said 62 percent of the animal bite cases are within the 15 years old and below; only 38 percent of cases involving over 15 years old.

While dogs remain as the principal cause of animal bites and rabies cases, over half or 58 percent of these bite cases falls under category 2, which the World Health Organization categorizes as moderate exposure.

This include minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, but even without visible bleeding, the skin barrier may still be broken enough for the rabies virus to enter, that immediate wound care is needed.

Victims in category 2 cases are advised to thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, apply antiseptic, like iodine or alcohol and soonest, get a rabies vaccination with a full vaccine schedule required. (PIAbohol)

CAUTIOUS OF THE LEGAL BITE. While barangay officials are key to the success of the grassroot anti-rabies program, the issue on dog population and control is one that frontline government officials are cautious as animal rights advocates are also keenly observing the processes, thus the stalemate, admits Association of Barangay Councils representative Board Member Romulo Cepedoza, during the joint meeting.

CONCERN PERSONALIZED. Provincial Health Officer Dr Fruserma Mary Uy and Veterinarian Dr Meydallen Paman project that worried look seeing how huge the burden of a zero-rabies in 2030 target is. Bohol still struggles with dog population and control, while access to anti-rabies services have been slowly democratized, sustaining a responsible pet ownership campaign is the major hurdle in Bohol where culture is the leash that hinders program implementation. (PIABohol)