ILOILO – The provincial government here is set to inspect markets, water sources, and other facilities as an early measure against acute gastroenteritis.
As of September 9, the province recorded a total of 17 “gastro” cases—nine from Oton; five from Leganes; and one each from Dingle, Pototan and San Dionisio.
According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., sanitary inspectors from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) have actively went around the 42 towns and one component city, Passi, to check public markets and facilities that sell food to ensure cleanliness and safety.
But, since there are already 17 cases of acute gastroenteritis in the province, the governor added that water sources, specifically deep wells and water refilling stations, be included in the inspections.
“Yes, that can happen. Padayun man ang aton nga mga sanitary inspectors, we continue to work with our municipalities. Even without gastro ha sige-sige na ang aton obra, ang aton inspection sa market kag iban pa nga facilities sa mga banwa and we will include water sources now,” said Defensor.
The provincial government, together with the concerned towns and their municipal health offices (MHOs), continues to monitor the barangays with cases to promptly take measures if needed.
The governor added that protocols set are being executed by the IPHO, MHOs, and barangay officials with recorded cases such as checking patient history, specifically in travel and food, and his/her water sources.
The IPHO, together with MHOs, also distributes chlorine to barangays to conduct dechlorination on water sources with acute gastroenteritis cases.
NO STATE OF CALAMITY DECLARATION
Defensor, meanwhile, has no plan to place the entire province under a state of calamity because the number of acute gastroenteritis cases here is relatively low compared to its more than two million population.
“Kon amo na ang numero sa probinsya, there is no need to escalate. And it’s being managed right now,” said the governor.
He added that there are only two reasons a local government can declare a state of calamity. The first is to use a calamity fund to implement measures and the second is to implement a price control.
To recall, Iloilo City recently declared a state of calamity due to the spike in cases of acute gastroenteritis and cholera./PN
