MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano said Wednesday, August 21, that the entire province will likely be placed under state of calamity due to the increasing number of dengue cases.
Emano said the declaration will depend upon the recommendation of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) that determined the alarming cases of dengue.
Earlier, Board Member Nancy Madjos asked the governor to declare a state of calamity after the Capitol's legislative body convened to tackle the dengue problem.
Based on figures released by the Department Health-Northern Mindanao, the province of Bukidnon topped the region with the highest number of cases, with 7,120 dengue cases, with 10 deaths. The second highest is Misamis Oriental with 2,853, while there are 1,978 cases in Cagayan de Oro City. The data were gathered from January to August 17.
A statement from the province showed, however, 15 deaths out of 2,480 cases recorded in different hospitals in Misamis Oriental since January this year.
If declared, the state of calamity status will allow the Provincial Government to release its calamity fund to be utilized in dengue-related assistance and intensify further the campaign against dengue.
Emano has repeatedly reminded residents in the coastal and upland areas of Misamis Oriental to follow the 4S strategy promoted by the Department of Health to prevent the spread of dengue.
The 4S strategy refers to search and destroy of mosquitoes' breeding grounds; self protection, by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and daily use of mosquito repellent; seek early consultation; and support fogging/spraying especially in hotspot areas.
"Ang paglikay sa sakit nga dengue dili lamang responsibilidad sa pangagamhanan o gobyerno, o pribadong organisasyon, ug pipila ka indibidwal, apan tulobagon kini natong tanan, hilabina walay gipili ang makamatay nga sakit-bata ka man, idaran o tigulang; kabus o adunahan; baskog ug luya; o ba kaha tambok o niwang," Emano said.