Gov. Lacson says dengue cases reached alarming level, might declare province under State of Calamity

July 17, 2022

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang (2nd from left), Provincial Health Officer of Negros Occidental, speaks during a press briefing after the launching of the Department of Health-Western Visayas’ “SaBAYANg 4,5,6” anti-dengue campaign in La Carlota City on Friday (July 15, 2022).
Negros Occidental has logged 1,869 dengue cases, the highest in Region 6, from January 1 to July 2 this year.*

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said today that he is studying the possibility of declaring a state of calamity in the province amid the continuing rise of dengue cases.

Lacson said he is going to consult Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer.

We will know if the dengue cases is still manageable, he added.

Personally, Lacson said “dengue cases in Negros have reached alarming levels.”

Right now Negros Occidental is number one in Western Visayas, the governor said. Data show the the province has the highest number of newly reported dengue cases at 185, or a total of 1,869 cases as of July 15, or an increase of 777 percent compared to last year.

Last week, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office informed the governor that it would send a team to Negros Occidental to help the provincial government deal with a recent surge of dengue cases.

More than Antique

On Thursday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique placed the province under a state of calamity due to dengue cases reported in all of its 18 municipalities.

The Antique SP, during its regular session, unanimously approved the resolution filed by its Board Member Pio Jessielito Sumande Sr. for the province to be placed under a state of calamity, considering a total of 1,575 cases with six deaths reported from January to July 9.

The figure is 556 percent higher than last year’s 241 patients in Antique including two deaths for the same period.
The resolution was approved upon the request made by the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on July 12.

Sumande said with the declaration of the state of calamity, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao is now authorized to determine an appropriate budget from the remaining Quick Response Fund (QRF) for dengue prevention and response programs.* (EYA)