Suicide cases disturb mayor

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

[The Department of Health has established suicide prevention hotlines in the country. For those who need help, they could call 0917-899-8727 (USAP) and 0917-989-8727 (USAP)]

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas raised concern on the rising cases of suicides in the city and province of Iloilo, which claimed more lives this year than the coronavirus disease.

Treñas broached the issue after meeting a group of psychiatrists he Wednesday morning.

The meeting was meant to provide the city government with the framework for a mental health program amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Treñas cited the 27 suicide cases that were recorded in Iloilo province since January 2020, especially during the community lockdowns against COVID-19.

“We have more suicide incidents in Iloilo compared to COVID-19 deaths,” Treñas said.

The latest health statistics indicate that 11 persons in Western Visayas have died from COVID-19 as of June 16, 2020.

In an interview with Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo, Police Master Sergeant Francisco Lindero of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office confirmed that 27 suicide cases were recorded in the province from January to June 2020.

While the figure is lower than the 78 cases for the same months in 2019, they are disturbed by the spate of suicides in a particular week.

The IPPO has established Suicide Prevention Core Groups in municipal and city police stations to address the issue.

Treñas said he will also help craft a program addressing suicide cases in the city.