Bontoc dengue cases up; clean-up drive pushed

By Christy Mae F. Che-es and Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

  BONTOC, Mountain Province – With unpredictable weather    experienced now and typhoons hitting the country   from time to time, health officials here urged the public to take precautions against killer dengue.
    A total of 56 cases were reported from January to August, raising need for intensified campaign against dengue and clean-up activities.
    In response to increase in dengue and Covid-19 cases in the municipality, Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., led cleaning of the main roads and streets in central barangays early morning of July 29. Mayor Tudlong issued memorandum order 33 to Sangguniang Bayan members led by Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen, local government officials, Municipal Fire Station  and Bontoc Municipal Police Station for the clean-up drive.
    Tudlong issued another memorandum order enjoining all 16 Punong Barangays to schedule and conduct general cleaning in their respective barangays to contain increasing dengue cases and maintain sanitation in the community.
    He lauded participants for their attendance despite the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that occurred two days prior to the activity.
    “Our battle against Covid-19 is still ongoing yet another virus has posed another threat to our community. Thus, immediate action is necessary not only to contain the spread of the dengue virus but also to encourage our constituents to maintain clean and healthy surroundings,” he added.
    Meanwhile, the Bontoc LGU through the Municipal Health Office conducted dengue indoor residual spraying, Oplan Taob and information drive in barangays Bontoc Ili, Poblacion, and Caluttit first week of August.
    According to sanitation inspector  Nissan Gulian, eight teams of personnel from the MHO, nurses employed under the DOH nurse deployment program, barangay officials, barangay functionaries of the said barangays, Bontoc MFS, Bontoc MPS, Mountain Province Provincial Police Office, and DepEd, went around the said barangays and have included private and public schools for the spraying and larvicide application.
    Municipal Health Officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez reiterated the “4-o'clock habit” which seeks to enjoin the communities to take time to weed out dengue breeding sites at 4 p.m. daily.
    She urged local folks to maintain clean surroundings since used tires, cans, and plastics which are potential breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes were seen scattered around the roads, pathways, and yards in the barangay.
    Dr. Gomez said spraying in other barangays will be scheduled while private and government schools and agencies may coordinate with the MHO and request for the dengue residual spraying.
    The anti-pest solution and sprayer were provided by the provincial government of Mountain Province through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) under Provincial Health Officer Dr. Annie Claire Pekas and Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Carolyn D. Yawan.
    In related development, the Sangguniang Bayan passed a resolution encouraging the public to avoid use of plastic drinking water bottles, plastic food containers or packaging and plastic cups during seminars, trainings, workshops, conferences, and similar activities.
    The SB in a resolution said solid waste management is still a problem in the capital town despite the Bontoc LGU's efforts and initiatives in partnership with stakeholders.
    “The SB is urging all government employees and the public to bring and use mugs, cups, or tumbler cups in workplaces and activity sites where drinking stations or jugs are in place,” the resolution said.
    SB member and chairperson on committee on waste management and environmental concerns Benedict Odsey II who authored the resolution said use of plastic drinking water bottles, plastic food containers or packaging, and plastic cups constitute a percentage of litter that is unsightly, costly, and can cause serious negative environmental impact.
    Mayor Tudlong, Jr., appealed for the public's support and cooperation in the implementation of the resolution passed by the municipal council.
    “It is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents. Also, this measure is helpful in the reduction of the cost of solid waste disposal by the municipality and protection of the environment," Tudlong said.