Cavite Holds Consultative Meeting on Rabies Prevention in Support of World Rabies Day

Trece Martires City, Cavite — In support of World Rabies Day, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) spearheaded a Consultative Meeting on Rabies Prevention and Control Program on September 23, 2025, at the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health.

The activity gathered doctors, nurses, and health professionals from various Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) across the province to strengthen Cavite’s unified response against rabies.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Nelson C. Soriano, Provincial Health Officer I, underscored Cavite’s ongoing efforts to eliminate rabies through coordinated programs and community partnerships.

Ms. Charlene E. Rosanes, Provincial Rabies Prevention and Control Program Coordinator, presented updates on human rabies cases in the province. This was followed by Mr. Jomell V. Mojica, Regional RPCP Coordinator of DOH-CHD IV-A, who led a discussion on the Department of Health’s interim guidelines (DM No. 2025-0368) regarding the administration of suspected and confirmed counterfeit anti-rabies vaccines.

Highlighting public safety concerns, Ms. Janissa Therese G. Gutierrez of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stressed the dangers of counterfeit medicines and explained the proper protocols for reporting such cases.

The meeting aimed to enhance advocacy against rabies, raise awareness on safe vaccination practices, and address the critical issue of counterfeit vaccines.

The event concluded with an open forum and closing message from Dr. Armand J. Dotollo, Medical Officer III and Head of OPHO Infectious Cluster, who emphasized Cavite’s steadfast commitment to protecting communities from rabies and ensuring the integrity of vaccines provided to the public. /PR