SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The provincial government reminded the people that tandok, a traditional method of treating animal bites to prevent rabies, remains banned in the province.
A DOG receives an an anti-rabies vaccine in La Union.
“While we acknowledge that these traditional ways are part of our culture and tradition, we cannot compromise the health and safety of our constituencies,” said Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David as the province observes Rabies Awareness Month this March.
Ortega said medical assistance for animal bites is now more accessible with 10 animal bite centers in the province – Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, City Health Office, Bauang Rural Health Unit, Rosario District Hospital, La Union Medical Center, Caba District Hospital, Naguilian District Hospital, Bacnotan District Hospital, Balaoan District Hospital, and Agoo Rural Health Unit.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian has set various activities to heighten public awareness on rabies prevention.
“We aim for a rabies-free province that is why we encourage our constituents to be responsible pet owners and have their pets vaccinated,” Provincial Veterinarian Domingo Calub said.
The OPVet will conduct a series of information education campaign (IEC) with anti-rabies vaccination in different towns in the province.
Last year, the OPVet recorded seven rabies cases in dogs, from 14 in 2023.
“Despite the decrease, we have intensified our anti-rabies vaccination efforts. A total of 38, 257 pets were vaccinated across 271 barangays in 2024,” Calub noted.
The Provincial Health Office reported an increase in animal bite cases in 2024 to 40,225 from 28,289 in 2023.
The provincial government passed Ordinance No. 053-2014 prohibiting tandok in 2014.
Under this method, the mannandok (traditional tandok practitioner) uses a stone or cow’s horn to suck the virus from the wound of the victim.
“Most probably, they do so because it is cheaper to go to the ‘quack’ doctors (traditional healers), but many times with fatal results on the patients,” the ordinance said.
Any person violating the ordinance will be penalized by a fine of P 5,000 or imprisonment for one year, or both.