Iloilo City to declare dengue state of calamity

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government is preparing to declare a state of calamity due to the continuous rise in dengue cases, following concerns raised by health officials.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) recommended the declaration during a meeting presided over by Mayor Jerry Treñas on Tuesday, August 27.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which is set to discuss the matter in its regular session on Wednesday, August 28.

Additionally, the CDRRMC endorsed lifting the state of calamity declaration for pertussis, which was issued on March 26.

The previous declaration allowed the city government to use the approved budget of P16.9 million to combat the spread of the infection.

The City Health Office (CHO) noted that no pertussis cases had been recorded in the past seven weeks, with the last positive case logged on June 28, 2024.

According to the latest dengue report from the CHO, Iloilo City has logged a total of 903 dengue cases from January 1 to August 26.

Of these, 12 are active cases, 887 have recovered, and four have died due to dengue-related complications.

In a statement, Mayor Treñas appealed to the public to unite in the fight against the spread of dengue fever.

He emphasized the importance of the 4S strategy for dengue prevention: eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using self-protection measures, seeking early medical consultation when symptoms arise, and supporting fogging in high-risk areas.

Treñas urged the community to support fogging and spraying efforts in areas with high numbers of dengue cases.

“If we come together in our campaign against dengue, we can significantly reduce the number of cases and protect our community,” he added.

To manage the increasing cases and prevent congestion in district hospitals, the CHO has reactivated its 30-bed Hydration Unit at La Paz Health Center.

The CHO is also actively conducting misting operations in public schools, public places, and dengue hotspots.