Many significant activities and programs in the control of Rabies in the Philippines were already implemented with some success. However despite considerable advances in the development and availability of efficient tools to control this disease, there has been no substantial decline in the incidence and mortality rate of Rabies, with the number of cases showing an increase from the year 2004 to 2005.
The Philippines faces a number of important challenges and issues. First, there is a need for Information, Education and Communication Campaign (IEC) to make the public aware of the proper management of animal bite wounds and eliminate the use of traditional faith healers and herbal medicines like the use of "Tandok" and garlic. Second is the unavailability of mass vaccination for dogs and other susceptible animal due to lack of canine vaccine supply and funding. Third, is inadequate and oftentimes delayed surveillance system to collect epidemiological data which could be due to difficulty in reaching far-flung barrios and provinces and the lack of man-power to do so. Fourth is lack of dog population management program because currently, the country has eight (8) million stray dogs to monitor and control its activity. Fifth, is the unavailability of pre- and post-exposure prophylactic treatment. 400,000 Filipinos consult for dog/animal bites or rabies exposure annually and more than 80% of them will require treatment, but only 15% will receive it. Sixth, is the need for relevant research studies to support the control and prevention of rabies.
The challenges and issues in the control, prevention and elimination of rabies in the Philippines are both government and private sector responsibilities. They must be addressed by the concerned agencies to decrease the morbidity and mortality of rabies and hopefully, the country will be declared rabies-free in the future.

In: Acta Medica Philippina, 2006 vol. 40 (2) pages: 49-53