Dengue still hounding Kidapawan

COTABATO CITY -Officials of Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province have placed the entire locality under a state of calamity on Friday because of the continuing rise in the incidence of

This makes Kidapawan the fifth local government unit in Mindanao to declare such a status due to dengue fever.

Kidapawan Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) approved the declaration during its regular session on Thursday upon the recommendation of the city disaster risk reduction and management council (CDRRMC).

Evangelista has directed concerned city government offices, led by the city disaster unit, to take appropriate action “so that the number of dengue cases” would stop at its current position.

“From January 1 to date, 687 patients have contracted the disease, which is 237 percent higher as compared to the same period in 2018, with only 229 patients,” city anti-dengue campaign coordinator, Jasna Sucol, said.

Two dengue patients have died, she said, describing the current state of dengue in the city’s 40 villages to have hit the epidemic threshold.

Data provided by the CDRRMC identified 10 of the city’s 40 villages that have a high incidence of dengue -- Lanao, Birada, Poblacion, Amas, Paco, Balindog, Sudapin, Manongol, Magsaysay, and Singao.

“The city government will now use up to PHP2.8 million from the city’s Quick Response Fund for the procurement of fogging machines, mosquito repellants, and the massive info against the disease,” CDRRMO chief and public safety officer, Psalmer Bernalte, said.

Only recently, the provinces of South Cotabato and Zamboanga Sibugay, as well as some 10 villages in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City have all declared a state of calamity due to dengue. (PNA)