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[av_heading heading=’Santa Barbara declares ‘dengue calamity’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO – The Sangguniang Bayan of Santa Barbara placed the town under a state of calamity due to a dengue outbreak.
Santa Barbara has the highest number of dengue cases in the province – 715 with three deaths – according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
“The declaration was made through a special session,” said Vice Mayor Rema Somo.
The special session was held on Sept. 16.
“Our regular session is every Wednesday. It was the local chief executive who requested for the special session,” Somo told Panay News.
Under National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Memorandum Order No. 4- 1998, when two or more barangays are affected by a disaster, the Sangguniang Bayan, upon the recommendation of the local chief executive, can declare the entire municipality under a state of calamity.
According to Mayor Dennis Superficial, at least two barangays were already severely affected by dengue.
The local government will use its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to counter dengue.
“Naka-mobilize na kami sang amon nga disaster fund. Mabakal kami sang spray (larvicide) sa mosquitoes,” said Superficial.
The declaration of state of calamity was supported by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRMC), said Superficial.
“We are repeatedly reminding the public to keep their surroundings clean. If ever members of your family are not feeling well, immediately consult a doctor,” said Superficial, a medical doctor by profession.
Next to Santa Barbara with the most number of dengue cases were Calinog with 370 cases and one death; Sara with 352; Pavia with 316; Pototan with 287; Cabatuan with 280; Miag-ao with 279; Estancia with 278 and one death; Oton with 255; Alimodian with 198 and one death; Leon with 197; and Passi City with 193.
Last week, PHO said barangays with clustering cases of dengue can declare a state of calamity.
PHO data showed 231 barangays with clustering of cases, or three or more cases within four consecutive weeks.
Declaring a state of calamity allows these barangays to use their calamity funds to purchase needed materials against dengue mosquitoes such as larvicides and adulticides, said Dr. Ma. Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon of PHO.
The province has 1,721 barangays.
Larvicides are products used to reduce immature mosquito populations when they are still in the water.
Larvicides, which can be biological or chemical, are applied directly to water sources that hold mosquito eggs and larvae. When used well, these can help reduce the overall mosquito population by limiting the number of new mosquitoes produced.
On the other hand, adulticides are products that rapidly reduce adult mosquito populations. This can become necessary when larval control measures are insufficient or not feasible.
As of Sept. 10 (36th morbidity week), PHO said dengue cases already reached 6,808 with 15 deaths.
PHO recommended chemical spraying.
“Twenty to 30 days ang lifespan sang adult mosquitoes so they can bite more people. We have to kill them,” Quiñon stressed./PN
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