SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ) © RECEIVED
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 2 04 MAR m4
First Regular Session ) st Nl

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Tntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez al NV oo
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Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 4050

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 deatns

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, Posteexposure prevention consists, of loca treatment of the wound,
Sym ptostion of rabies immunoglobulin (if indicated), and immediate vaccination with anti-
rabies vaccine.

et sit timely treatment, rabies infection is 100 percent fatal. Rabies is We best
example of an lines in which prevention is better than cure, as itis a vaccine-preventable
oxo sald Dr. Nancy Nazaire-Bermal, FPS, FPIDSP, head of clinical research and
development of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Peete remains a significant public health concer in the Philippines whers only 25
percent of dogs are vaccinated against the viral infection ang only 17 rabies diagnostic
ceceatones ere current in operation. Rabies vaccination for PEP is already included in the
ranmnal rabies control program; however, pre-exposure prophylaxis has not yet been
implemented

ie 906, a group of researchers and professionals formed a global Altance for
Rabies Control They created and began invitng partners to join the World Rabies Day
Rapitve, World Rabies Day, celebrated on September 28, now involves evoty Malet human
rieeeirnal health pertner at the international, national, state/provincial, and local levels as
an ar eternary, medical and other specialized professional and student organizations,
Corporate and non-profit partners, The goal of this outreach is to mobilize awareness and
crores in support of human rabies prevention and animal rabies contol.

es in suppOTine celebration of the World Rabies Day, the Philippines should also
celebrate on the same day, the National Rabies Day.

ir view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is eamestly sought

RUFUS B. RODRIBUEZ

tig,”
Lida
MAXI . RODRIGUEZ, JR.



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS: )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

4050

House Bill No.

AN ACT
DECLARING SEPTEMBER 28 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL ANTI-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 remeins a significant public health
concer i the Philippines where only 25 percent of dogs are vaccinated ‘against the viral
conc tan and only 17 rabies diagnostic laboratories are currently in operation.

SECTION 2. September 28 of every year is hereby dectared 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
grvelcampaign to increase awareness on the effects of rabies

and how to preventit.

(b) Free pre-exposure prophylaxis shall be given to individuals
Considered as high risks like travelers to high-risk areas in
raiesaffected countries, and for people in certain high risk
‘occupations such as laboratory workers dealing with live rabies
Oras’ 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,