PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) – The town of Taytay has declared a 'state of health emergency' due to the continued increase in dengue cases in the said municipality.
The declaration is based on the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council (MDRRMC) approved by the Sangguniang Bayan ng Taytay through Resolution No. 052-2023 which states: 'Resolution declaring the entire Municipality of Taytay, Palawan under the state of health emergency due to the alarming number of dengue cases and dengue-related deaths.'
In the said resolution, Municipal Health Office (MHO) reported that out of the 31 barangays of the municipality, 30 barangays recorded multiple cases of dengue.
Based on the data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) from January to June 2023, the municipality of Taytay has recorded 1,079 cases of dengue, of which 13 have died.
As participation in the Aksyon Barangay Kontra-Dengue (ABKD), community members of Sitio Igang in Taytay, Palawan conducts a clean-up drive on July 3, 2023. (Photos by Ernalyn Sanchez)
In this regard, Executive Order No. 028 series of 2023 or “an order providing measures for inter-agency and intense Barangay and Community participation and cooperation in Dengue prevention and control under a state of health emergency in the Municipality of Taytay, Palawan” was signed by Mayor Christian V. Rodriguez on July 17, 2023.
This order includes the establishment of Barangay Anti-Dengue Task Force (BADTF) to conduct Aksyon Barangay Kontra-Dengue (ABKD) and schedule a simultaneous clean-up drive in the entire barangay every once per week.
Provincial Department of Health Office (PDOHO) officer conducts a lecture on how to prevent the spread of Dengue through 5S approach in front of the students of the Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School on June 16, 2023 (Photo courtesy of DOH-CHD MIMAROPA)
As part of the government’s campaign to alleviate the high cases of Dengue in the province of Palawan, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) MIMAROPA launched public awareness drives on how to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne viral disease on June 13-16, 2023.
Apart from this, Taytay Mayor Christian V. Rodriguez also encouraged the public to continue practicing 5S against dengue. The 5S strategy urges the public to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; uphold self-protection like using of insect repellents; seek early consultation at the nearest health care facility; support fogging, spraying, and misting in hot spot areas; and sustain hydration. (OCJ/GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
Topmost photo from the Municipal Government of Taytay
