Dengue cases in Siquijor on the rise

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, June 1 (PIA) -- The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has reported an increase in the number of dengue cases in the province from January to May this year over that of the same period last year. 

“A total of 28 dengue cases were reported from different Disease Reporting Units (DRUs) for the period January 1 to May 30, 2012,” said Disease surveillance officer Zellamaye Gascon, in her report submitted to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). 

This is 61 percent higher compared to the same period of last year with 11 cases, she said. 

Age of cases range from one to 44 years old, with both sexes represented with 54 percent female and 46 percent male, the report also said. 

Most of those affected were in the 11 to 15 years age group. 

Gascon said majority of the cases were from the towns of Maria with 11 cases constituting 39 percent, Lazi, seven cases or 25 percent and Siquijor with four cases or 14 percent. 

Larena, San Juan, and Enrique Villanueva towns have two cases each from zero-dengue cases in the same period last year. 

To control the rising tide, Provincial Health Officer Redempta Cortes called on the local government units (LGUs) to intensify their information campaign on dengue emphasizing the importance of eliminating the breeding places of mosquitoes. 

She also stressed the need to mobilize the community to actively participate in environmental sanitation activities such as clean-up drives and establish Dengue Brigades in Barangays. 

Local health units are also encouraged to initiate clean-up campaigns in communities and continue or sustain disease surveillance on dengue and notify Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) on increase of dengue cases. 

Government hospitals are advised to strictly follow dengue clinical treatment protocol and activate dengue fast lanes. 

School authorities are likewise called to emphasize on school-based programs targeting parents and children in schools to eliminate vector breeding places at home and in the school and create “Dengue School Brigades” and support its sustainability. 

People are advised to clean all possible mosquito breeding places such as flower vases, dish drains, old tires, roof gutters, used cans, etc. where water can pool or accumulate, especially during rainy season. The public is also instructed to use personal protective measures such as mosquito nets, insect repellent lotion, or install window screens. Water receptacles like drums and jars must be covered and most importantly, people should maintain the habit of cleaning up areas inside and outside homes. (RMN/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)

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DOST-Siquijor moves to fast-track mosquito trap distribution

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, June 1 (PIA) -- There is an upsurge in dengue cases in the country and government is addressing this problem with the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which has come up with a mosquito trap technology that is proven to be effective, said DOST-Siquijor Provincial Director Mario E. de la Pena. 

However, de la Pena said science teachers, district supervisors, and principals should first undergo training that will enable them on the School-based Roll-out of the Ovicidal Larvicidal (OL) mosquito trap before getting the technology. 

He said the school-based roll-out of the OL trap program aims to distribute the DOST OL mosquito trap to approximately 900,000 classrooms in pre-elementary, elementary, and high schools nationwide. 

To date, DOST has already distributed OL traps in other regions. 

"But I hope Siquijor would be the first to avail in Region 7," he said, noting that OL traps are now available at the DOST regional office. 

He said there are 534 classrooms in the elementary and 148 in secondary schools in the province hoping that all of them would avail of the OL. 

A training was held in Cebu last February but another division-level training should be undertaken as soon as possible to fast track the distribution of OL trap in the province, he said. 

De la Pena said he expected the Department of Education to finish with the training in May so that they will be ready to distribute OL mosquito traps in June, the start of the rainy season. 

In a DOST press release, entomologist and University of the Philippines Manila public health professor Dr. Lilian de las Llagas, who facilitated the training, said it is important to understand the behavior of Aedes mosquito for the application of necessary control measures like the DOST OL trap. 

“Only female mosquito bites. They suck blood from the victims from sunrise to sunset. This makes the OL mosquito trap significant in the school because most of the children, the most vulnerable dengue victims, are in school during this span of time,” Dr. de las Llagas added. 

“The DOST OL mosquito trap is proven effective, but how we use it makes a big difference. That is why training is very important," stressed Dr. de las Llagas. 

She emphasized the role of the regional focal person as key advocacy partners of the programs in the region. 

“As trainers, understanding the basic concepts is crucial because you cannot train the teachers if you don’t have enough knowledge and understanding about the technology,” explained Dr. de las Llagas. (rmn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)

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Siquijor DTI, LTO warn motorists of strict helmet law starting August

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, June 1 (PIA) -- Starting August this year, the helmet law will be strictly implemented in the province. 

This means all motorcycle drivers including backriders are mandated to wear standard protective helmets while riding, said both the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in a forum held Wednesday at the Capital Square, Siquijor, Siquijor. 

"The law is not created to bring discomfort to the riders but to protect them and promote safety," said DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio as she noted the prevalence of head injuries among motorists resulting from the non-use of standard helmets. 

Supervising Transportation Regulation Officer Gerald Dominguez likewise said the LTO and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Siquijor have been intensifying their drive on the use of protective helmet regardless of what standard it is, but starting August this year, they have to comply with the DOTC-DTI joint memorandum order that prescribes the use of standard protective helmets while driving. 

Dominguez said LTO is mandated to enforce specific violations on drivers of motorcycles with the corresponding fines and penalties: first offense is P1, 500, second offense, P3,000, third offense, P5,000, and succeeding offenses, P10, 000 and confiscation or suspension of driver's license. 

The LTO will coordinate with DTI in the proper identification of standard protective helmet markings for roadside enforcement purposes, he also said. 

Virtucio, on one hand, said drivers who possess non-standard helmets should secure ones that bear Product Standard or PS mark for locally produced helmet, and Import Commodity Clearance, or ICC marks, for the imported ones. 

“You still have two months to save and buy new ones,” Dominguez and Virtucio said. 

Virtucio said the DTI has been conducting mandatory inspection on all helmet suppliers and dealers to ensure and promote the use of standard helmets. She also encouraged buyers to be responsible and report immediately to DTI the sellers of fake or non-standard helmets. 

Under the law, helmet manufacturers and importers need to secure a PS license or an ICC mark before selling and distributing their products, she said. 

The forum was attended by motorcycle and habal-habal drivers, PNP personnel, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and representatives from the two media outlets in the province. (rmn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)