1 week ago
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ILOILO CITY — The provincial government of Iloilo is considering declaring a state of calamity due to the rising cases of dengue and to strengthen its capacity to combat the mosquito-borne disease in the province.
"We will have another outbreak declaration for 2025 and we will have another declaration of a state calamity so we can add to our capacity," said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. in a press conference on Thursday.
In August last year, Iloilo was placed in a state of calamity due to a dengue outbreak. The declaration allowed the government to use P13.6 million from the quick response fund.
Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed 803 dengue cases with six fatalities as of March 1 this year. This is a 77 percent increase compared to the 454 cases with two deaths recorded in the same period last year.
The fatalities were reported in the towns of Oton and Tigbauan, with one death each, and in Pototan and Carles, with two deaths each.
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Dr. Rodney Labis of the IPHO said dengue cases across the province are already on a downward trend, with 31 local government units (LGU) recording negative growth rates for the past two weeks.
Despite this, Labis highlighted a recent spike in cases in Cabatuan, Leon, San Dionisio, and San Joaquin, which should still not place the government in complacency.
Defensor said the province is intensifying its mosquito control program and public awareness campaign, given the "seriousness of the disease."
"We are bracing for an epidemic and we have started preparations already. So far, our logistics are intact. Three things — test kits, IV fluids, bed space," he said.
The provincial government allocated P2.7 million for dengue test kits and P500,00 for adulticides (insecticides for mosquito) in the IPHO's fund for 2025.
In 2024, it extended financial assistance to LGUs, where large municipalities received P300,000, middle-class municipalities P200,000, and small towns P100,000.
On March 7, the provincial government launched a women-led Limpyo Iloilo "Alas-4 Kontra Mosquito" — a daily cleanup drive that takes place every 4 p.m. to celebrate International Women's Day.
"A dengue cleanup is not a solution but a kickoff so that we can trigger the consciousness in the campaign for dengue," Defensor said.
