LOCAL officials declared Mountain Province under state of calamity due to a notable increase of dengue cases on Tuesday, August 27.
The Provincial Board of Mt. Province declared the province under state of calamity following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) during an emergency meeting.
“The PDRRMC recommends the declaration of the province in a state of calamity to ensure the immediate and necessary measures in preventing the alarming increase of dengue cases in the province,” said resolution 2019-02 read signed by Vice Governor Francis Tauli and members of the provincial board.
Earlier, Provincial Health Office reported periodic monitoring on dengue shows 503 cases with two deaths for 2019 as compared to the previous year with 117 cases and two deaths.
Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. added the different towns in the province conducted “Oplan Taob” or simultaneous cleanup activity every Thursday at 4 p.m. or as scheduled by the local government units (LGUs), management of dengue cases, fogging and indoor residual spraying done in Anonat and Poblacion in Paracelis.
Wearing of skirt for female government employees are temporarily suspended and intensified advocacy on dengue control and prevention continues.
The governor said the two deaths recorded last year were from Paracelis.
“All municipalities have increased cases except for Barlig. Four municipalities (Paracelis, Natonin, Sadanga, Bontoc) have exceeded the epidemic threshold,” he added.
In the Cordillera region, cases of dengue have not yet reached the epidemic threshold.
The Department of Health in the Cordillera region meanwhile continues to monitor dengue cases particularly in the provinces of Abra, Apayao and some parts of Benguet which have exceeded the epidemic threshold.
DOH added even if these areas are in the epidemic threshold, they should be on alert.
Last March, the health department informed mayors on the status of dengue cases including parents of students in schools regarding the prevention and control of the disease.
Based on the department’s records, from January to August 10 this year, there were 4,704 suspected cases of dengue compared to the 4,076 last year with a 15 percent increase with 9 deaths. (With a report from Jonathan Llanes)