LA TRINIDAD will not declare a state of calamity despite the continued rise of dengue cases.
Mayor Romeo Salda said panic will only arise if he will issue an order declaring the town under state of calamity.
“We will remain calm, yellow alert is good enough for now. There is no need to declare a state of calamity here in the Valley,” Salda told Sun.Star Baguio.
“In the recent report of the municipal health office, there were additional cases of dengue but according to the assessment, the situation is controllable,” Salda added.
As of August 8, the Municipal Health Office (MHO) has recorded 677 cases, which include three casualties last month.
Salda added additional patients were reported as mild cases and most of them were sent home after being observed and treated in the local hospital.
The mayor explained the use of the municipality’s calamity fund will be considered as a last resort if cases will continue.
Last July, the Sangguniang Bayan has approved the P1 million funding from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (LDRRMF) for the purchase of misting machines, insecticides, and other operational expenses for the conduct of search and destroy activities in all 16 barangays.
MDRRMC chief Yosho Labi said as of August 10, they have already finished fogging and misting operations in Alapang, Bahong, and Tawang.
This week they are set to finish barangay Balili.
“So far, we are done in three barangays. Masyadong malawak ang mga areas doon that made it difficult to fast track our operations,” Labi said adding “the limited and prescribed operating time of 6 a.m. to 10a.m. and 4p.m. to 7p.m. also hold back its completion.”
Meanwhile, the Dengue Operations Center pooled by the joint efforts of the municipality, MHO, MDRRMC, in partnership with the provincial government continue to campaign self awareness in avoiding dengue.
People who experience two days of severe fever are already advised to visit the nearest hospitals in order to respond to the possible dengue case.