LGUs intensify fight against rabies

Local

A GROWING dog population, limited manpower, and uneven vaccine supplies are pushing local governments in Cebu to intensify their fight against rabies this year.

To strengthen prevention efforts, the Cebu Provincial Government increased its anti-rabies vaccination budget to P12 million for 2026, nearly double the previous allocation of around P5 million.

The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said the larger fund would allow the Capitol to procure more than 30,000 anti-rabies vaccine vials for distribution to component cities and municipalities, especially lower-income towns struggling to sustain regular vaccination campaigns.

Dr. Louie Maestrado, chief of the Animal and Public Health Division of the PVO, said the province expanded its allocation to ensure continued vaccine support for local government units with limited resources.

“Actually sa rabies nato, naa gani siyay pag increase. For the year 2026 implementation, we have an allocation of P12 million,” Maestrado said.

He said the Capitol continues to prioritize fourth- and fifth-class municipalities while encouraging financially capable LGUs to maximize their own funding for vaccination programs.

“So that the rest of our budget intended for vaccines especially ma-prioritize nato katung mga lower-class municipalities,” he explained.

Data from the PVO showed Cebu Province now has more than 300,000 registered dogs based on records gathered during vaccination activities conducted by LGUs.

Maestrado clarified that the figure only covers registered dogs and does not yet include stray animals.

Despite the rising dog population, Maestrado said most LGUs continue to meet the national target of vaccinating at least 70 percent of dogs to help prevent rabies transmission.

“So far ma-consider gyud nato nga in ana nga level tungod sa atong pagtinabangay. Majority ma-hit man gyud nato ang target,” he said.

However, the province continues to face manpower shortages, particularly in municipalities that cannot afford to hire licensed veterinarians.

“Naa may mandatory man gyud na naay city vet, pero sa municipalities maihap ra nimo ang maka-afford mag-hire ug licensed vet,” Maestrado said.

To address the shortage, some LGUs tap volunteers and barangay workers during mass vaccination drives, while others provide honoraria to personnel assisting in the campaign.

The province also continues to encounter difficulties in consolidating vaccination data after a national online monitoring system previously used for animal vaccination and disease reporting stopped functioning years ago.

“Nindot gyud to ma’am kay dali ra nimo makuha ang data. Naka-map pa gyud siya,” Maestrado recalled.

At present, provincial personnel manually gather reports from municipalities while continuing year-round anti-rabies activities, including mass vaccinations, walk-in services, and spaying and neutering programs aimed at controlling the growing dog population.

Meanwhile, Cebu City veterinary authorities admitted that the city’s current vaccine supply remains far below the level needed to achieve herd immunity among dogs.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) reported that it currently has only 1,400 anti-rabies vaccine vials this year, significantly lower than the estimated 11,000 to 12,000 vials needed to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the city’s dog population.

City veterinarian Dr. Jessica Maribojoc said the shortage makes it impossible for the city to meet the required vaccination coverage.

Using the city’s 2016 baseline data of around 166,000 dogs, Maribojoc explained that approximately 116,000 dogs need to be vaccinated annually to meet the 70 percent target.

Each vial covers about 10 animals, meaning the current stock can vaccinate only around 14,000 dogs or roughly 12 percent of the target population.

She added that updated World Organisation for Animal Health estimates suggest Cebu City’s actual dog population may now be significantly higher due to population growth since the last survey conducted in 2016.

Under the revised estimates, the city may require up to 20,000 vaccine vials annually.

Budget constraints have also affected Cebu City’s response after the DVMF’s allocation for veterinary medicines and biologics was reduced to around P3.5 million this year.(MyTVCebu)