CEBU City Mayor-elect and incumbent Councilor Nestor Archival has pushed for legislative action in support of the newly created inter-agency task force against mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).
This, as confirmed cases of the contagious disease continue to rise in the Visayas.
In a privilege speech on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Archival said he fully supports outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s executive order (EO) signed on June 2, that formally established the task force as a preventive measure against a possible local outbreak of mpox.
Archival pointed out the urgency of city-wide preparedness following reports of confirmed mpox cases in Talisay City, Iloilo City, and Iloilo Province, as well as a suspected case in Mandaue City.
“Cebu City, being a regional hub, is not immune to the risk of transmission,” Archival said.
“Let us act swiftly, responsibly, and compassionately,” he added.
The Inter-Agency Task Force Against Mpox aims to consolidate the efforts of city health officials, barangay leaders, and national government agencies in surveillance, and quick response protocols.
It also outlines public health interventions such as information campaigns, contact tracing, isolation protocols, and potential vaccination strategies.
“Let us remember, Mpox is not just a skin disease. It is a viral infection and it can have serious health consequences with symptoms such as rashes, fever, swelling, lymph nodes, and fatigue,” Archival said.
“If left unchecked, it can spread rapidly through close contact, including within families, schools, and communities. We must commend the City’s leadership for acknowledging this threat before it becomes a public health crisis,” he added.
Archival then urged the Council to revisit city ordinances and resolutions that could empower citizens to maintain cleanliness and public hygiene as a front-line defense.
“I urge my fellow councilors to treat this issue not just as a health concern, but as a call to action to protect our people, especially the most at risk — the immunocompromised, the elderly, and the marginalized,” Archival said.
He also noted the importance of barangay-level engagement as community-led efforts, he said, will be essential in implementing preventive actions and countering misinformation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024, due to resurging cases worldwide.
Although the PHEIC designation has since been lifted globally, localized outbreaks remain a threat, especially in densely populated areas.
The Department of Health has called on the public to help prevent the transmission of Mpox through regular hand washing and disinfection, avoiding skin-to-skin contact in crowded settings, wearing masks and protective clothing in public, not sharing personal items, and seeking early medical consultation for rashes or flu-like symptoms. / EHP