The Iloilo City Council approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to place the City of Iloilo under a state of calamity because of dengue outbreak. 

The declaration on August 28, 2024 allows the use of approximately P7 million in Quick Response Fund for the purchase of consumable equipment, testing kits, and medical supplies.

The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) will conduct massive misting in barangays. The funds will be spent for more misting machines.

According to the Local Government Unit (LGU), there are already 30 misting machines for use of 24 barangays daily. Another 30 misting machines will be procured.

“Nag-procure din kami 30. So, 60 na katao ang magdadala ng machine, so 24 barangays each day,” Dr. Annabelle Tang, Iloilo CHO head, said.

In the latest data of the Iloilo CHO, there are over 900 dengue cases logged with five cases of death. The latest death case is that of a 22-year-old man from the district of Jaro.

Barangay Sooc Arevalo logged the most number of cases at 42. The barangay mulls at reactivating its task force on dengue.

“Magpasa ng resolusyon regarding kung ano ang instruction ng City Health na gagawin and then siguro sa recommendation ng DOH,” said Councilman Arniel Lumbo, chairman of the Committee on Health of Barangay Sooc Arevalo.

Meanwhile in the Province of Iloilo, dengue cases reached 6,816 as of August 24, 2024 with 17 cases of death. The highest number of cases was recorded in Passi City with 497, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office. 

In Bacolod City, over 700 dengue cases were recorded. The Bacolod CHO recommended the reactivation of the 4 o’clock habit.

The figures stated above are based on data from January 1, 2024 to date.