Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the Department of Health (DOH) to intensify its anti-rabies efforts particularly its vaccination campaign across the country.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, made the call following recent cases of rabies-related deaths in the Philippines, noting that two rabies-related deaths have been recorded in just a week last May. 

The senator cited in particular the case of Janelo Limbing, a 31-year-old factory worker from Cabuyao City, Laguna who was bitten by his sibling's dog in August 2024, and took nine months before the symptoms were visible. Limbing was rushed to the hospital after he failed to finish the required anti-rabies vaccine doses and died thereafter. 

The other victim, Nichole, a 25-year-old woman from Bacolod City, chose to ignore the animal bite due to lack of money after being bitten last March of this year.

Go said the DOH ought to review and strengthen its efforts in providing free anti-rabies vaccinations to the public and making sure that there are enough stocks of the vaccines nationwide.

“Nakakalungkot na may mga namamatay pa rin dahil lamang sa hindi agad naaksyunan ang kagat o kalmot ng hayop,” Go said.

“I appeal to the DOH to intensify the anti-rabies campaign and make sure that all Filipinos, especially in far-flung areas have access to free and complete rabies vaccinations,” he added.

At the same time, Go appealed to the public to take animal bites or scratches seriously, pointing out that even though rabies is 100 percent fatal, it is also 100 percent preventable. 

“Huwag na po natin ipagsawalang-bahala kahit simpleng kagat o kalmot lang. Magpatingin agad sa pinakamalapit na animal bite center at siguraduhing makumpleto ang lahat ng doses ng bakuna laban sa rabies dahil kahit na 100% ang fatality rate ng rabies, it is also 100% preventable kung tayo ay agad na a-askyon (Don’t ignore even a simple bite or scratch. Immediately see the nearest animal bite center and make sure to complete all doses of the rabies vaccine because even though the fatality rate of rabies is 100%, it is also 100% preventable if we act immediately," he stressed.

Health experts have warned such delays or incompletions would lead to complications and deplete the effectiveness of the treatment, leaving more serious effects, including death.

Though the agency has encouraged pet owners to also have their pets vaccinated annually, cases of rabies-related deaths have reached 426 the previous year. 

The DOH has also recorded 55 rabies cases from January 1 to March 1 of 2025. 

Data also showed that half of the rabies cases were caused by bites from household pets, with a significant portion involving unvaccinated animals.