FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 3744

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 55,000 people
die of rabies every year, with dog bites as the cause of 99 percent of rabies deaths.

Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP), preventing an estimated 327,000 rabies deaths annually. Prompt
and effective treatment after exposure to rabies-prone animal bite can prevent the
onset of symptoms and death. Post-exposure prevention consists of local treatment
of the wound, administration of rabies immunoglobulin (if indicated), and immediate
vaccination with anti-rabies vaccine.

“Without timely treatment, rabies infection is 100 percent fatal. Rabies is the
best example of an illness in which prevention is better than cure, as it is a vaccine-
preventable disease,” said Dr. Nancy Nazaire-Bermal, FPPS, FPIDSP, head of
clinical research and development of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Rabies remains a significant public health concern in the Philippines where
only 25 percent of dogs are vaccinated against the viral infection and only 17 rabies
diagnostic laboratories are currently in operation. Rabies vaccination for PEP is
already included in the national rabies control program; however, pre-exposure
prophylaxis has not yet been implemented.

In 2006, a group of researchers and professionals formed a global Alliance for
Rabies Control. They created and began inviting partners to join the World Rabies
Day initiative. World Rabies Day, celebrated on September 28, now involves every
major human and animal health partner at the international, national, state/provincial,
and local levels as well as veterinary, medical and other specialized professional and
student organizations, corporate and non-profit partners. The goal of this outreach is
to mobilize awareness and resources in support of human rabies prevention and
animal rabies control.

In line with the celebration of the World Rabies Day, the Philippines should
also celebrate on the same day, the National Rabies Day.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

RUF} Mfivez

MAXIMO B. Cereus, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No._3'744

AN ACT
DECLARING SEPTEMBER 28 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL RABIES
DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. It is hereby recognized that rabies remains a significant public
health concem in the Philippines where only 25 percent of dogs are vaccinated
against the viral infection and only 17 rabies diagnostic laboratories are currently in
operation.

SECTION 2. September 28 of every year is hereby declared as National
Rabies Day.

SECTION 3. The following activities shall be undertaken in observance of this
occasion:

(a) The Department of Health, and the local government
units along with other organizations shall head an
information drive/campaign to increase awareness on the
effects of rabies and how to prevent it.

() Free pre-exposure prophylaxis shall be given to
individuals considered as high risks like travelers to high-
risk areas in rabies-affected countries, and for people in
certain high-risk occupations such as laboratory workers
dealing with live rabies virus and other lyssaviruses, and
veterinarians and animal handlers in rabies-affected
areas;

© Children in the different barangays all the over the
Philippines shall be given free pre-exposure prophylaxis.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,