A state of calamity has been declared in Iloilo City due to the dengue outbreak.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) adopted on Wednesday, Aug. 28, a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the entire city.
Councilor Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, chairperson of the committee on disaster relief, said the declaration will allow the city government to access the quick response fund amounting to P7.04 million.
The City Council also approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to declare a dengue outbreak and lift the city’s state of calamity due to pertussis.
“The city is expecting an increase in the number of cases, as updated reports are being gathered by the office of the City Health Officer,” the resolution stated.
“The current condition in the barangays requires an urgent need to declare an outbreak so that immediate assistance can be provided by the city government,” it further stated.
From Jan. 1 to Aug. 27 this year, Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the City Health Office recorded 945 dengue cases with five deaths.
The P7-million fund will be used for advocacy and response measures, including the procurement of chemicals for misting, motorized sprayers, dengue duo testing kits, and medical supplies for hydration.
“Our focus is the massive elimination of mosquitoes. We are planning 24 barangays each day once we procure our machines,” City Health Officer Dr. Annabelle Tang said in an interview.IMT
