DA: 1 Pinoy died daily of rabies in 2023

MANILA, Philippines — At least one Filipino died daily in 2023 due to rabies, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

As this developed, an additional P100-million budget was endorsed to the DA for the procurement of vaccines against the disease.

Constante Palabrica, DA assistant secretary for poultry and swine, said local government units (LGUs) play an important role in eradicating rabies.

Palabrica made the statement during the turnover of the Philippine Inter-Agency Committee on Zoonoses in Quezon City recently.

He said Agriculture Undersecretary for livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano endorsed the additional budget allocation for the procurement of more anti-rabies vaccines.

Palabrica said the endorsement is pending before the office of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

“Once approved, we are ready to buy the vaccines,” Palabrica said, noting the need for all LGUs to help in the campaign against rabies.

“When it comes to vaccination against rabies, the BAI cannot do it alone. It should have the participation of local government units. The only solution (to rabies) is vaccination,” he said, referring to the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Savellano reiterated Palabrica’s statement, saying as a former governor, he experienced the importance of LGUs in the campaign against rabies.

The DA yesterday assumed the chairmanship of the Philippine Inter-Agency Committee on Zoonoses from the Department of Health.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is vice chairman of the committee.

Aside from rabies, Palabrica said the inter-agency committee is also focusing on the campaign against avian influenza