State of calamity declared in Iligan due to dengue

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte — The local government here has declared the city under a state of calamity as dengue cases continue to rise.

The declaration, approved by the city council on Tuesday, could pave the way for the use of funds for initiatives to combat the mosquito-borne disease, according to Dr. Cherlina Cañaveral, city health officer.

Immediately, some P8 million has been made available to buy protective gear, fogging machines, medicines, insecticide-treated nets and chemicals used in destroying mosquito breeding grounds, she said.

The funds will also be used in conducting information and education campaigns in every barangay, Cañaveral said.

On Tuesday, Mayor Celso Regencia launched the “Sabayang 4 o’clock habit para Deng-Get Out,” a program that called on communities and schools to clean their surroundings every 4 p.m.

As of Aug. 19, the city health office recorded 1,138 dengue cases with 14 deaths.

Among provinces and two highly urbanized cities in Northern Mindanao, Bukidnon has the most number of cases with 7,120. This is followed by Misamis Oriental, with 2,853 cases; Lanao del Norte, 2,514; Cagayan de Oro City, 1,978; Misamis Occidental, 1,837; Iligan City, 1,138; and Camiguin, 270.

So far, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 70 deaths in the region, including 17 in Lanao del Norte, 15 in Misamis Oriental and 14 in Iligan City.

Dr. Adrian Subaan, DOH officer in charge in Northern Mindanao, said the agency declared a dengue outbreak in Iligan after the city recorded one of the highest death rates in the region.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) also sent medical tents to Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital to help decongest its rooms and wards as admissions swelled due to dengue.

On Wednesday, PRC set up an air-conditioned emergency medical unit at the hospital that can accommodate 20 cots.