Free Anti-rabies Vaccination in Rural Health Units Act

Senate Dilite of the Sercretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 26 MAY 25 P3:37 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 2160 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL ANTI-RABIES PROGRAM THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANIMAL BITE CENTERS IN RURAL HEALTH UNITS, THE PROVISION OF FREE ANTI-RABIES VACCINATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Pursuant to Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Further, Article II, Section 16 thereof states that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The Philippines continues to be burdened by rabies, with studies estimating that 300 to 400 Filipinos die annually and close to four (4) million animal bite cases are reported yearly. Notably, from 2020 to 2024, there were 1,750 Filipino deaths from rabies. As emphasized by the DOH, rabies is dangerous and fatal. It can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or saliva from a rabid animal when it comes into contact with an open wound, eyes, nose, or mouth.2 Furthermore, recent news reports of rabies cases highlight the implications of delayed or inadequate treatment. A 31-year-old factory worker from Laguna died of rabies nine months after a dog bite incident due to incomplete vaccination. He was able to get the first dosage of the anti-rabies vaccine but he apparently could not afford the succeeding treatments out of fear of losing his daily wage.3 In another 1 Montemayor, M. T. (2026, March 5). PH records 400 annual rabies deaths, 4M animal bite cases. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1270326 2 Cabalza, D. (2025, March 17). DOH records 426 deaths due to rabies in 2024. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2044420/doh-records-426-deaths-due-to-rabies-in-2024 3 Andal, J. (2025, May 24). Man from Cabuyao dies of rabies 9 months after dog bite, incomplete vaccination. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/947236/man-in-cabuyao-dies-of-rabies-9- months-after-dog-bite-incomplete-vaccination/story/

reported case, a 25-year-old woman from Bacolod City died of rabies after failing to seek treatment for a dog bite she sustained two months earlier. Her symptoms did not develop until two months later and she died shortly afterwards.4 PhilHealth currently provides an Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) benefit package worth Php 5,850, and more than 700 accredited ABT providers nationwide are now capable of administering treatment. Notwithstanding these efforts, rabies related mortalities continue to persist underlining the need to further strengthen access to treatment and improve public knowledge on the significance of timely medical intervention and completion of vaccination schedules. Rural Health Units (RHUs) serve as the primary healthcare contact points in the local communities and must be fully equipped with anti-rabies vaccines and other relevant medical interventions to provide timely treatment. In line with the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program under the Anti- Rabies Act of 2007, this measure seeks to address gaps in access to anti-rabies prevention and treatment services by expanding the availability of free anti-rabies vaccinations and related medical interventions in Rural Health Units. It also seeks to establish Animal Bite Centers (ABCs) in RHUs around the country to improve the prevention, assessment and management of rabies and animal bite cases at the community level. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TULFO 4 GMA Integrated News. (2025, May 26). 25-year old woman dies of rabies after bitten by dog in March. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/947409/25-year-old-woman-dies-of-rabies- after-bitten-by-dog-in-march/story/ 5 Montemayor, M. T. (2025, March 18). PhilHealth animal bite package covers P5.8-K in services. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1246267

Senate Offite of the Setretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 MAY 25 P 3:37 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 2160 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL ANTI-RABIES PROGRAM THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANIMAL BITE CENTERS IN RURAL HEALTH UNITS, THE PROVISION OF FREE ANTI-RABIES VACCINATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination

in Rural Health Units Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect and

promote the right to health of the people. Towards this end, the State shall adopt measures to strengthen public health services by ensuring accessible and timely anti- rabies prevention and treatment services through the provision of free anti-rabies 7 vaccinations and related medical interventions in rural health units, and by promoting greater access to anti-rabies services for all Filipinos.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Animal Bite Centers in Rural Health Units. - The Department

of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government units (LGUs), shall ensure the establishment of Animal Bite Centers (ABCs) in Rural Health Units (RHUs) nationwide for the prevention and management of rabies and animal bite cases.

Sec. 4. Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination Program. - All RHUs nationwide are hereby

mandated to provide free anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and, when

1 necessary, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), in accordance with the guidelines set by the 2 DOH. 3 Sec. 5. Program Implementation. - The DOH shall lead the implementation of the 4 national free anti-rabies vaccination program. It shall coordinate with the Department of 5 Interior and Local Government (DILG), LGUs, and other concerned agencies to ensure 6 the availability, timely distribution, and administration of vaccines. 7 Sec. 6. Public Information and Community Awareness. - The DOH, in partnership with 8 LGUs, shall conduct regular information campaigns to raise awareness on rabies 9 prevention, proper response to animal bites, and the availability of free vaccination services.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act

shall be charged against the current budget of the DOH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continuous implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - Within sixty (60) days from the

effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with the DILG, LGUs, and relevant stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively carry out the intent of this Act..

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and regulations

or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,