A "GATEWAY control" in all ports of entry in the entire province of Negros Occidental has been tightly and strictly imposed to guard against the possible spread of the influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu.

Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) said Friday that thermal scanners to screen arriving passengers are in place and should be made available in the Bacolod-Silay Airport if there are international flights coming in.

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He said that the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Coast Guard, the DOTC and the Air Transportation Office (ATO) also jointly imposed the strict monitoring of all ports of entry in both air and sea ports nationwide.

Mendoza was guest speaker in the 25th Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary’s (PCGA) annual national convention that started Thursday at the Pavilion Resort Hotel, Reclamation Area, Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) along with the Philippine Ports Authority together with local government units (LGUs) also forged efforts against the pandemic spread of H1N1 virus, causative agent of the swine flu that has already victimized a 10-year old Filipina this week.

Gov. Isidro Zayco earlier declared an alert status in the province against the threat of the swine flu virus.

On Friday, Capitol employees submitted themselves to a flu shot, an immunization, as a prophylactic measure against flu-related symptoms which include fever, headache, dizziness, body weakness, loss of appetite, fatigue and chills.

Zayco assured that through these efforts, the province through the PHO, is ready.

“Information dissemination has already been strengthened in coordination with the LGUs, DepEd (Department of Education) and all local government agencies. Resources have already been tapped to secure the province against the threat of the swine flu,” he said.