DOST distributes 1,364 OL trap kits to Siquijor schools

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, July 10 (PIA) -- A total of 1,364 ovicidal-larvicidal trap (OL trap) kits were distributed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to public elementary and secondary schools to help fight dengue upsurge in the province.

DOST-Siquijor provincial director Mario E. de la Pena said the number of kits given is proportionate to the number of classrooms provided by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Some 534 elementary schools and 148 secondary schools or a total of 682 schools were enlisted for OL trap distribution. Each school gets two OL traps (in/out).

DepEd-Siquijor Dengue Project focal person Dr. Josephine Bongoyan said the project is timely as dengue cases in the province have reportedly increased.

Twenty-eight dengue cases were reported from the province’s different Disease Reporting Units (DRUs) for the period January 1 to May 30, 2012. The figure, according to that report by disease surveillance officer Zellamaye Gascon, is 61 percent higher compared to the 11 cases reported during the same period of last year.

To control the further increase, Provincial Health Officer Redempta Cortes also called on the national and local government agencies, barangays, schools and all households to intensify efforts and help in the government’s fight against dengue.

The OL trap, it was learned, is a simple technology that kills the eggs and larvae of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the dengue virus. The black container attracts mosquitoes to lay their eggs on the lawanit strip soaked with the OL pellet-water solution.

The OL pellets, made of organic and non-toxic material, attract mosquitoes and kill their young, in effect reducing the number of the next generation of mosquitoes.

DOST’s school-based OL Trap program intends to reduce the number of mosquito population in schools and communities, and subsequently lower dengue incidents, through the use of the OL Trap. (RACalibo/PIA-7, Siquijor)

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Siquijor holds training on storm water management

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, July 10 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Siquijor has sponsored a training on storm water management and design for engineers, planners and decision makers in the province.

Mario de la Pena, Department of Science and Technology (Dost)-Siquijor provincial director, said the training provides basic concept of storm water management and techniques on the utilization of rain or storm water. “The technology on storm water management is very important especially with the occurrence of extreme weather condition in the country.”

He said the course enables the participants to be familiar with the basic concept of stormwater management and understand various approaches, tools and strategies to mitigate flooding.

The training also aims to enhance planning and designing skills particularly on the sizing of hydraulic structures such as draining lines, lagoon and cisterns, and identify and develop the needed policy support mechanism to encourage water conservation measures that will eventually reduce flood frequency and its consequential effect.

It was attended by provincial and municipal planning officers, engineers, engineers, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Bayan chairpersons on agriculture, and representatives from the Integrated Provincial Health Office.

De la Pena said Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua recognized the scarcity of water in Siquijor and for the need to tap storm water for agricultural and other purposes. He also participated in the activity.

“We hope that through this training, we make use of the technology introduced for our offices, households and even for our farms,” de la Pena said.

The training was conducted by the Confederation of Scientific and Professional Orgnanization (Cospo) through the Dost. (RACalibo/PIA-7, Siquijor).