In a press conference last week in Daet, Camarines Norte, the Department of Health – Center for Health Development Bicol disclosed first quarters numbers for animal bites cases in the region.
Camarines Sur, the most populous province, led with 8,525 cases, followed by Camarines Norte with 5,105 and Sorsogon with 4,970.
The other three had less than 3,000 cases each: Masbate with 2,812 cases, followed by Catanduanes with 2,203 and Albay with 1,299.
Despite its being declared rabies-free by the DOH in 2018, Catanduanes has recorded rising numbers of animal bites over the past five years, likely to the growing number of residents keeping dogs and cats as pets and the absence of a humane strategy to keep stray animal populations to a manageable level.
Starting from 3,213 animal bites cases in 2020, the figure rose to 3,688 cases in 2021 before dropping to 2,557 in 2022 and 2,236 in 2023.
Last year, the number more than doubled to 6,486 cases.
A decade ago, this statistic would have meant most of the bite victims had to spend their own money to pay for the anti-rabies injections as the vials given by the DOH to the three Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) in Catanduanes usually run out, with the unfortunate having to buy the vials for more than a thousand pesos from drugstores.
Luckily, PhilHealth provided for its members the Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) package, which now covers essential rabies treatment services worth P5,850, up from the former P3,000, to support rabies prevention and control.
The ABT package includes the following services: rabies vaccine to prevent rabies after exposure; rabies immune globulin to provide immediate protection against the virus; local wound care to prevent infection; Tetanus Toxoid and Anti-Tetanus serum to protect against tetanus infection; antibiotics to prevent or treat any potential infections; and medical supplies including syringes, alcohol, antiseptics, and other necessary items.
The increase in animal bite cases last year probably prompted two private establishments dedicated to rabies treatment to set up shop in Virac: SMCR Animal Bite Center and Rabvaxx Animal Bite Center, both along the national road in Gogon and San Isidro Village.
Regionwide, the DOH tallied a total of 35 human rabies suspect cases in 2024, with five (5) recorded as of July 19, 2025.
Majority of animal bite victims were female while most were over 15 years old, with the cases due to an almost equal number of dog and cat bites.
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Last May 29, 2025 at Solaire Vertis North in Quezon City, officials of FICELCO and 15 other off-grid electric cooperatives attended the Philippine Power Investment and Innovation Summit, sponsored by NEA in partnership with Climate Smart Ventures (CSV).
The summit gathered participants from both the public and private sectors to explore initiatives that would help unlock the potential of off-grid communities in driving economic growth.
The participating ECs proposed projects involving the integration of hybrid renewable systems and were also provided platforms to build linkages with potential investors, who can help bring these plans into action.
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ON BUYING A TRACTOR. The farmer goes to town one day and happens to run into his old pal the tractor salesman.
“How’s business?” asks the farmer.
“Not very good, I haven’t sold a tractor in months. How are things on the farm?” asked the salesman.
“Well– The other day I went out to the barn to milk that old cow I have.
I started milking and she swatted me with her tail, so I tied her tail to the ceiling.
I started milking again and she kicked me with her left leg so I tied that to the left side of the stall.
I started milking again and she kicked me with her right leg so I tied that one to the right side of the stall.
About that time my wife walked in the barn, and if you can convince her that I was just trying to milk that damn cow, I’ll buy a tractor from you!!”