Iloilo City Proposes Local Mpox Testing and Vaccine Acquisition

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — In response to a rising number of mpox (monkeypox) cases, Iloilo City officials are advocating for the establishment of local testing and the procurement of vaccines. Mayor Jerry Treñas announced plans to formally request permission from the Department of Health (DOH) for the Uswag Molecular Laboratory to conduct mpox testing. This initiative comes as the city reports four confirmed cases and two suspected infections under surveillance as of June 2, 2025.

Mayor Treñas highlighted the laboratory's capability, noting that its medical technologists have been trained specifically for mpox diagnostics and that the facility is fully equipped, lacking only the necessary testing kits. He expressed concerns about the delays in confirmatory testing currently conducted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Metro Manila, which can extend the turnaround time to several days. "If it takes time, then people who are suspected will continue to go around, continue to have physical contact with other people, and continue to transmit the mpox," Treñas warned.

The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) confirmed on June 2 that four mpox cases were under investigation, with two additional cases awaiting results. In an effort to manage the outbreak, Mayor Treñas convened the Task Force Mpox, comprising various stakeholders, including the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, local health officials, and representatives from high-risk communities. The task force aims to enhance awareness and containment measures through community engagement and educational outreach.

Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz, head of the CHO, emphasized the importance of targeting vulnerable populations, particularly sex workers, who are at heightened risk of transmission due to the nature of the virus. The CHO has initiated outreach programs in affected barangays and is preparing preventive protocols to mitigate the spread of mpox.

In light of the ongoing outbreak, the city government has imposed precautionary measures, such as limiting elevator occupancy in City Hall to promote social distancing. Treñas expressed readiness to procure mpox vaccines if the DOH authorizes local governments to do so, highlighting the current prohibition on local vaccine purchases without national approval. Internationally, mpox vaccines are available, and countries experiencing outbreaks are already utilizing them; however, the Philippines has yet to establish a national rollout or supply chain for these vaccines.

The Iloilo City initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for localized public health responses amid infectious disease threats. As local governments seek increased autonomy in managing health crises, the outcome of Iloilo's request to the DOH may set a precedent for other municipalities facing similar challenges. Health experts emphasize the importance of timely testing and vaccination as key strategies to curb the spread of mpox and protect public health.

In conclusion, the situation in Iloilo City serves as a critical case study on the dynamics of local health governance and the urgent need for responsive public health measures amidst the mpox outbreak. Should the DOH grant the city's request, it could mark a significant step towards empowering local authorities in managing health emergencies effectively.