DAVAO ORIENTAL—Amidst the alarming increase of the dengue cases in the country, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has taken immediate action to prevent the further growth of dengue cases in the province which has dramatically doubled compared from last year.

In a special meeting with the Health Officers from the province and component Local Government Units (LGUs), along with key personnel from the Provincial Government, Governor Dayanghirang said that the province will purchase 11 spray guns and 2 fogging machines.

He ordered Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Assistant Department Head Jason Bendulo to have an emergency purchase of 11 spray guns and 2 fogging machines. The spray guns will be distributed to the municipalities while the fogging machines will be on stand-by at the province which will be dispatched to the barangays that have dengue cases.

The Governor has also given directive to formulate a strategy that will serve as long-term solution to the rapidly increasing dengue cases. He said the strategy must focus on preventive measures that will lessen the dengue cases, if not totally eliminate it, by the year 2020. According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Herminigilda Nartatez, dengue cases in the province doubled to 588 in January to June 23 this year, from only 238 cases in the same period of last year. Despite not being placed under “alert level”, Davao Oriental is now under “monitoring level” as dengue statistics in the province exceeded the epidemic threshold, she said.

“Let’s focus on preventive measure like conducting one-day clean-up drive every month. Let’s tap the PNP, the Philippine Army, the Army reservists, and other volunteer groups to participate in this drive,” Governor Dayanghirang said.

He stressed the need for each LGUs to cooperate should a dengue case erupt in one area. He said the Provincial Government will source out funding from the national government agencies such as the Department of Health to help address the needs in every health stations.

“It is important that we make immediate action before the problem spreads. We in the Provincial Government, despite the limited resources that we had, will look for funding to address the needs in the municipal health stations,” he added.

He tasked Former City Councilor Maria Gracia Tiago, who is now serving as a consultant to the Governor, to attend to the needs of the MHOs.

Tiago said that she was able to get the support of a humanitarian company to help the province develop its health sector.

“With a vision that we are going to improve the health development of your localities, we will accept your proposal, through the Office of the Governor. We will accept proposal for the construction of your health center, your municipal health offices, and if you want your infirmaries, as long as it is related to health development. We are not targeting any amount. We will then submit it to the humanitarian organizations along with other priority projects of the governor,” she told the Municipal Health Officers.

Meanwhile, Provincial Art Benjie Bulaong said he “will be drafting an executive order mandating all the local chief executives to conduct a clean-up drive in their respective barangays for twelve months” and beyond.

Dr. Nartatez also committed to help facilitate the clean-up drive which she said will be conducted “every week through the years for it to become a habit.”