ANTIQUE – Citing an outbreak of dengue, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) declared a state of calamity on July 14.
It also authorized the use of the province’s 2022 Quick Response Fund (QRF) for dengue prevention.
In declaring a state of calamity, the SP cited the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Memorandum Order No. 60, series of 2019 which states that “when two or more municipalities or cities are affected by a disaster, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, may declare a state of calamity.”
Recently, the municipalities of Anini-y, Hamtic and Sibalom declared a state of calamity.
According to the Antique Provincial Health Office (APHO), as of July 2 Anini-y recorded 96 dengue cases – 1,500 percent higher than then six cases it had by July 2 last year.
Hamtic reported 174 cases with two deaths – 263 percent higher than its 48 cases in 2021.
Sibalom counted 260 dengue with one death – 1,138 percent higher than its last year’s 21 cases.
Province-wide, Antique got 1,405 dengue cases with five deaths. This is 527 percent higher than its 224 cases last year.
Here’s the breakdown of the 1,405 cases with five deaths: Culasi (11), Tibiao (25), Tobias Fornier (58), Sibalom (260 cases with one death), Hamtic (174 cases with two deaths), San Jose (320), Sebaste (45), Bugasong (137 cases with one death), Valderrama (46), Barbaza (30), Anini-y (96), San Remigio (69), Laua-an (27), Patnongon (48 cases with one death), Libertad (one), Caluya (five), and Belison (41).
The Provincial Health Office plans outdoor and indoor spraying, larviciding, misting against dengue-carrying mosquitos, and patient support.
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo urged Antiqueños to get rid of the breeding places of dengue mosquitoes – these are stagnant water./PN
