"Tandok" ban in La Union still in force

BAGUIO CITY (March 21, 2025) -- La Union is reiterating a standing local ordinance that prohibits the practice of ‘tandok’, a traditional method of treating animal bites to prevent rabies.

This, as the provincial government is intensifying efforts to uphold the public health campaign against rabies, in line with the observance of the Rabies Awareness Month this month.

“While we acknowledge that these traditional ways are part of our culture and tradition, we can not compromise the health and safety of our constituencies,” La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David said.

In 2014, the province passed the Provincial Ordinance 053-2014 which prohibits the ‘tandok’ within La Union.

In this traditional healing method, the ‘mannandok’ (traditional ‘tandok’ practitioner) uses stone or cow’s horn to suck the virus from the wound of the victim.

“Most probably, they do so because it is cheaper to go to the ‘quack’ doctors (traditional healers), but many times with fatal results on the patients,” the ordinance reads.

Any person found violating the ordinance will be penalized by a fine of P 5,000 or imprisonment for one year, or both.

But Gov. Rafy emphasized that “medical assistance for animal bites is now made more accessible”, with ten animal bite centers in the province, located at various hospitals namely Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, City Health Office, Bauang Rural Health Unit, Rosario District Hospital, La Union Medical Center, Caba District Hospital, Naguilian District Hospital, Bacnotan District Hospital, Balaoan District Hospital; and at Agoo Rural Health Unit.

Meanwhile, the La Union Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) has set various activities to heighten public awareness on rabies prevention.  “We aim for a rabies-free province that is why we encourage our constituents to be responsible pet owners and have their pets vaccinated,” Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Domingo Calub said.

The OPVet will conduct a series of Information Education Campaign (IEC) with Anti-Rabies vaccination in the different towns in La Union.

In 2024, the OPVet recorded a total of seven cases of rabies in dogs, marking a decrease from 14 cases in 2023.

“Despite the decrease, we have intensified our anti-rabies vaccination efforts. A total of 38, 257 pets were vaccinated across 271 barangays in 2024,” Dr. Calub noted.

Rabies continues to impact the community, with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reporting an increase in animal bite cases in 2024 that reached 40,225 cases. This shows a significant rise from the 28,289 cases reported in 2023.

As part of the initiatives to raise awareness about rabies, the OPVet began offering veterinary services to constituents starting March 2, coinciding with the La Union Founding Anniversary.

On March 14, it conducted an IEC activity and provided veterinary services at the Bacnotan District Hospital. On March 16, OPVet collaborated with the San Fernando City Veterinary Office in holding an EIC and offered veterinary services. On March 28, the OPVet will visit the Bacnotan town for another outreach service.

Furparents may avail the following free veterinary services for their lovely fur babies including anti-rabies vaccination, deworming, vitamins supplementation, consultation and treatment, ear cleaning and nail clipping.

“I urge every pet owner to ensure their animals are vaccinated and we must work together to raise awareness about the risks of rabies,” added Gov. Ortega-David.