ORMOC CITY – This city is now under a state of calamity due to the dengue outbreak, with said declaration unanimously approved by the members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod during their special session on August 8, 2024.
According to the City Mayor and Chairperson of the Local Health Board, Lucy Torres Gomez, the number of dengue cases in Ormoc, while high at the moment, is manageable. Moreover, the mayor also said that the city is taking a proactive stand in its response to control the epidemic and putting preventive measures in place to stop it from spreading further.
“We are acting on this now, before more get sick. In Ormoc, the health and wellness of everyone will always be a priority,” said Mayor Gomez. “We will be procuring much-needed medicines, test kits, chemicals, and equipment. We have mobilized our health and disaster workers for them to provide assistance to suspected dengue cases and launched an intensive campaign against dengue, some of which include the search and destruction of breeding sites, the conduct of fogging activities, and community education of dengue symptoms and their transmission,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sarah Q. Hermoso, City Health Officer II, presented an update on the situation of dengue cases in the city, wherein there were a total of 444 reported cases of dengue as of week 31 (January 1 to August 3, 2024) with 0 case fatalities. According to the data presented, this year’s number of cases is 225% higher compared to the same period in 2023.
Atty. Josephine A. Mejia-Romero, City Legal Officer, told the august body that the City of Ormoc can declare a state a calamity if 20% of the population is affected by a disaster or health problems. Dr. Hermoso confirmed that 20% of the population of this city is now affected by the current situation of dengue cases in the locality.
On the other hand, Vincent L. Emnas, City Administrator and BAC Chairman, mentioned that the declaration of a state calamity will be of great help to hasten the procurement process for the purchase of equipment and materials to address the dengue outbreak in the City of Ormoc. A declaration of a state of calamity, by virtue of a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, will prompt the procurement of necessary equipment and materials.
Further, on August 15, 2024, an emergency meeting on dengue cases in Ormoc City was conducted, wherein it was highlighted that there were already a total of 545 dengue cases reported as of Morbidity Weeks 32 and 33 (Jan. 1–Aug. 13, 2024), with 1 death (CFR 0%). It was also emphasized that this year’s number of cases is 307% higher compared to the same period last year, which had 134 cases.
Finally, the barangay with the most reported number of cases for the past four weeks is Cogon Combado, with 13 cases.
The state of calamity will be in effect for one year from the declaration but may be terminated earlier upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC). By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail August 12-18, 2024 issue)
