By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Nancy Binay on Thursday stressed the importance of local government units’ (LGUs) decisive role in arresting an impending dengue outbreak.
Senator Nancy Binay (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Binay said LGUs can help in mapping areas where dengue cases have been spotted but still unreported.
“Habang may panahon pa, ‘wag na nating hintayin pang umabot sa epidemic proportions ang sitwasyon ng dengue (While there is still time, let’s act on it and not wait for the dengue situation to reach epidemic proportions),” Binay said.
“The LGUs role is crucial in mapping and monitoring incidence of outbreaks. They may be tapped to help in mobilizing barangays should there be a need to come up with an epidemic preparedness and response plan," the senator pointed out.
Binay issued the reminder following the Department of Health’s (DOH) declaration of a nationwide dengue alert after noting a spike in the number of reported cases.
This has also prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a warning that the situation may reach epidemic proportions.
According to the DOH, a total of 106,630 dengue cases were reported nationwide from January 1 to June 29 this year which resulted in 456 deaths. This is 85 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
DOH also said Western Visayas has the biggest number of reported dengue cases so far this year with 13,164, followed by Calabarzon (11,474 cases), Central Visayas (9,199 cases), Soccsksargen (9,107 cases), and Northern Mindanao (8,739 cases).
Meanwhile, provinces that have exceeded the alert threshold include Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Cordillera Administrative Region.
"The DOH has already issued advisories as early as January but it seemed everyone was too preoccupied that no one was paying attention about the severity and seriousness of the situation until the DOH declared a National Dengue Alert on July 15," Binay noted.
Likewise, the lawmaker called for the mobilization of local authorities, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reserve force, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to help in cleanup drives, especially in school grounds.
"Spikes in dengue cases can also be attributed to poor sanitation and improper waste management,” she noted.
“Pagtuunan din po natin ng pansin ang mga drainage systems, water storage, catchments at impounding facilities, at flood-prone areas (Let’s look at our drainage systems, water storage, catchments at impounding facilities, and flood-prone areas),” the senator added.