We really thought we’d be telling a different story by now. You know, something like: “Remember malaria? That pesky mosquito-borne illness we finally kicked out of Palawan? What a time!” But nope. Here we are in 2025, and malaria is not only still around—it’s practically throwing a comeback party in the southern part of the province.
According to the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., malaria cases in Palawan surged by 45% in 2024, jumping from 6,188 infections the previous year to a whopping 8,898. That’s a mosquito-powered leap big enough to make us all itch a little.So yes, while the rest of the country is inching toward a malaria-free Philippines by 2030, Palawan is still dealing with the daily buzz (and bite) of reality.
Not an Outbreak—Just the Truth Finally Coming Out
Dr. Antonio Bautista, malaria program manager at Pilipinas Shell Foundation, clarified: this isn’t an outbreak, it’s just better testing. In fact, over 533,999 blood exams were conducted last year—most of them out in the field. “Almost 9,000. Mataas talaga siya. But we think that’s the actual picture,” said Dr. Bautista. Basically, it’s not more malaria—it’s more detection. And it turns out, the disease has been having a quiet fiesta in the forests all along.
Southern Palawan: Ground Zero of the Malaria Map
The town of Rizal leads the charts with a mosquito-marinated 4,000 to 5,000 cases. It’s followed by Brooke’s Point with 1,973 and Bataraza with 1,195.What’s going on down there? According to Dr. Kristal Care Pineda, Rizal’s municipal health officer, the challenge is a three-part cocktail:
- Thick forests and water sources (mosquito paradise!)Limited access to health servicesCultural beliefs — yep, some still believe malaria comes from the fruit of a tree. (Spoiler: It doesn’t.)
Even with mosquito nets and repellents handed out like flyers at a mall, the cycle continues. Ten deaths were reported in 2024, many of them children under 12.And it gets worse—malaria is clingy. You can get it again. And again. And again. In fact, 718 people in 2024 had repeat infections. Malaria’s basically that one toxic ex who just won’t leave you alone.
So What’s Left? Enter MDA: Mass Drug Administration
With bed nets, repellents, and education barely holding the line, Dr. Bautista and his team are pinning their hopes on Mass Drug Administration (MDA)—essentially treating everyone in high-risk areas with anti-malarial drugs whether they test positive or not.Sounds drastic? Maybe. But desperate times call for community-wide parasite purging. It’s the only strategy they haven’t tried yet, and it’s racing against the clock. Peak malaria season is June to August, so there’s little time to rally, organize, and—most importantly—get community buy-in.But that’s no small feat, especially with Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in remote sitios who live mobile lifestyles. “Kapag nalalaman nilang napupuntahan sila, lilipat na naman sila,” Dr. Pineda said, explaining how temporary homes and constant movement make treatment and follow-up feel like a mosquito-themed version of hide-and-seek.
What Now?
Apart from MDA, the plan moving forward includes:
- More testing (at least 20% of the population yearly)Continued mosquito net distributionEarly diagnosis and fast treatmentIntegrating malaria response with nutrition and deworming programsAnd embracing the “One Health” approach: because yes, when humans, animals, and the environment are all in the mix, you need more than just bug spray The 2030 Dream: Still Alive, Barely Buzzing
The Department of Health still hopes for a malaria-free Philippines by 2030, but even experts are skeptical. “Even if we get to zero by 2028, we still need five consecutive zero years,” said Ray Angluben, head of the Global Funds Program. So hitting the target? Possible. But it’ll take a full community effort, political will, and a lot of mosquito net tucking.
In the Meantime…
Let’s not underestimate the resilience of Palawan—its people, its healthcare workers, and yes, even its ability to fight something as persistent as malaria.But it’s also time we stop treating this like a mosquito problem and start treating it like a community problem. Because when one part of the island is still battling the bite, none of us are truly malaria-free.So, while the rest of the country dreams of eradication, we’ll be here—on the front lines, fighting the good fight. With repellents. With medicine. And hopefully, with your support.After all, if we can protect paradise from plastic, illegal mining, and over-tourism—surely, we can outsmart a few mosquitoes. Right?
Right…?
