BAGUIO CITY – This city logged 940 dengue cases from January 1 to present, a 134 percent increase compared to the same period last year with 401.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong has expressed concern over the sudden increase in dengue cases.
The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit reported that 70 percent are from this city and the remaining are from other localities.
The City Health Services Office described the rise in the number of cases as alarming in a meeting with Magalong.
Ten hotspot barangays with clustering of cases were identified – Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Asin Road, Pacdal, Santo Tomas Proper, Gibraltar, West Quirino Hill, Mines View Park, Middle Quirino Hill, and Victoria Village.
Magalong strictly ordered the implementation of Ordinance 66-2016 or the Anti-Dengue Ordinance of the City of Baguio.
He also ordered the imposition of penalties on those who do not comply with dengue control measures.
The ordinance prohibits storing water in containers that are not tightly covered, storing and storing vases filled with water and using potted ornamental plants and axillado plants for long periods of time, storing or disposing of tires, dumping waste water or sewage on roads, alleys, and driveways, and performing chemical control methods without clearance from the CHSO and Department of Health.
"Any non-cooperative owner, group of people, or public or private entity, may be summoned to appear before the barangay head to explain with reasonable cause why no legal action should be taken against the violator," the ordinance said.
Violators will be punished with, for the first offense, community service for three days in the barangay, second offense, a fine of P1,000 and perform community service for three days, and third offense, P3,000 and imprisonment for two days on the discretion of the court.
Magalong ordered the strict enforcement of the anti-dengue ordinance after medical officers and sanitation inspectors of the CHSO observed many households do not cooperate even though dengue control measures in barangays were being spearheaded by residents.
He ordered the participation of personnel from the Baguio City Police Office and Public Order and Safety Division in conducting information dissemination, case surveillance, and geo-tagging operations in barangays to augment personnel from the sanitation division who will conduct house-to-house surveillance to curb the trajectory of cases.